When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matthew 11:2 (Matthew 8:1-13, 11:2-19, 12:22-50, Mark 3:20-30, Luke 7:1-50, 11:14-36)
John the Baptist has been arrested and senses his death is near. He, like others, believed God would send a political advocate and conquerer. This man who was born to prepare hearts for Jesus asks, “Are you the One?”
After decades of empty ritualism the multitudes were ready to receive the perceptive and authoritative teaching of Jesus. Imagine Jesus was standing in the synagogue reading from the Scrolls, the prophecies of Isaiah, Daniel, Nehemiah….. knowing He was The One who gave those visions. He knew exactly what they meant and all the implications of their message. Sensing Jesus’ extraordinary power, the Pharisees ordered Jesus to perform miracles of their choosing to validate His divine nature. When He refused they accused Him of sorcery rather than crediting a Devine Son, sent to love. Jesus gave them a scathing rebuke for their unbelief and hypocrisy.
A Roman soldier sent an envoy to ask Jesus to heal a servant that was highly regarded. Jesus commended him for his faith and the man’s health was restored. He brought a widow’s only son back from the grave. When a woman of great sin followed Jesus into a banquet, fell to her knees, bathed His feet with her tears and anointed Him, the Pharisees questioned Jesus’ authenticity because He did not send the untouchable away. Jesus offered an illustration of debts owed to teach how grace and gratitude work. And….during this time, Jesus had some minor conflicts with His own earthly family. Rather than scorn, He pointed all to the Kingdom of Heaven and the bond of the Family of God.
When John, in his sorrow and great stress, questioned his own life’s allegiances, Jesus did not condemn, but answered in great victory, by miracles in great numbers, far greater than He had to this point. When Jesus asked you to give Him every part of yourself, that means EVERY PART, including the mind that simply can’t wrap itself around the complex issues of pain, hatred, injustice and despair. Don’t be shamed or defeated. Keep your face turned toward the Son, look Him straight in the eye, pour out your honest heart, then trust and obey His answer, because you are in the good company of those such as John the Baptist.
Love,
Gretchen