In the World–February 9, 2025

Download “In the World” for February 9, 2025 here.

CONFIRMING CANDIDATES TO THEIR POSTS

During the last several weeks, members of the US Senate have been at work after the new administration took office. The president’s picks for cabinet and important roles require a majority vote of confirmation, and some of the votes have been extremely close. No matter what side of the aisle is voting, the basic question is, “Is this the right pick for the job?” According to the Constitution, the Senate gives “advice and consent,” which means this legislative body must approve or disapprove of each candidate after they have been nominated and examined.

CONFIRMING THAT JESUS IS GOD’S PICK

In the reading from Matthew 11, John the Baptist is seeking confirmation about whether Jesus can do the job of Messiah. John sends messengers to inquire what Jesus has to say, and Jesus ends up being the one making confirmation—confirmation that John was a prophet sent by God, preparing the way for one who was greater.

1. How do you determine whether someone is the right candidate to do a job? What do you look for on a resume?
2. When have you recently struggled to explain yourself to someone else?
3. What makes Jesus uniquely qualified to be God’s pick, the Messiah and the one to follow?

Additional Resources

Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

• Contemporary Worship Weekly
• Echoes Worship Weekly
• Traditional Worship Weekly
• Dale Allison Jr.’s “Commentary on Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30”
• Nicholas J. Schaser’s “Commentary on Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30”
• Video: BibleProject’s “Character Insight: John the Baptizer”