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Scripture |
Matthew 11:2-112 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” 7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. |
Devotional |
The close connection between John the Baptist and Jesus continues as we see the prisoner John sending messengers to Jesus. What happens to John arrest, trial, execution also awaits Jesus. After this point the opposition continues to grow against Jesus. From prison what John heard about Jesus must have disturbed him. Earlier at the Jordan , John did not doubt that Jesus was the Messiah. Was Jesus not meeting John’s expectations? John’s message had been about judgment and the ax falling, but Jesus does not meet this expectation. “Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire (Matthew 3:10 )”. Is John disappointed because there were no trees falling? “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:12 ).” Does the lack of chaff burning with unquenchable fire concern John? Was John expecting Jesus to set him free from prison? John was concerned enough that he sends his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” As usual Jesus does not answer the question directly but invited John’s disciples to come and see what he is doing. The Gospels reveals for us many who did not understand who Jesus was and the type of Messiah he would be. Even his disciples were often confused. What did you come out to see? How do you see Jesus? I must admit I sometimes have questions much like John. How can you believe in a just and merciful, all-loving God when the world is in such a mess? If Jesus is as important as we claim shouldn’t thing be better by now? Where is this peace on earth we hear about? When will Jesus begin to separate the wheat from the chaff? Those of us with questions are in good company. Why does every generation seem to think we need to go to war? God is at work. The best answer I can find at the present comes from Fred Craddock. “As we await the coming of Christ, what kind of person, what kind of ministry, what kink of relation to us are we anticipating?” 1 1 Fred Craddock, Preaching through the Christian Year A. Philadelphia: Trinity Press International, 1992. p. 22 |