ARE YOU THE ONE?
Opening Prayer
Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).
Read MATTHEW 11:1–19
After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what 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:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psa. 119:105).
Think Further
It is uncertain how much time has elapsed between the imprisonment of John the Baptist (Matt. 4:12) and the events in today’s reading, but it was long enough for doubt to creep in. Why would John the Baptist question the ministry of Jesus? Is it his imprisonment that causes him to waver in his faith? Could it be that he is like his Jewish contemporaries, seeking a political Messiah to overthrow the Roman Empire? Or is he expecting Jesus to bring judgment on the unrighteous and wicked (Matt. 3:7–12)? Our reading does not tell us, but we know that Jesus’ ministry does not match John’s expectations, and he needs reassurance that Jesus is indeed the Messiah. He sends some of his disciples to Jesus, seeking an answer to this question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (3).
Jesus is able to offer John a direct affirmative answer, but instead he lists certain activities in his public ministry: “the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good newsis proclaimed to the poor” (5). This is not simply a catalogue of achievements. Viewed in the light of the Old Testament, this is a reference to Isaiah (Isa. 61:1,2). If John can recognize this allusion, he will understand Jesus’ answer to his question. Jesus is not only affirming his identity as Messiah, but more than that, he is drawing John back to the Scripture to strengthen his wavering faith.
Doubts can be real in our journey of faith. We may occasionally question our faith in God. We may doubt if God cares for us. But we can always turn to the Scripture and read afresh the promises that God has for us and absorb his words of assurance once again.
Apply
What, if any, event in your Christian life has given rise to potential doubts about your walk with God?
Closing prayer
O Lord, “All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal” (Psa. 119:160). Teach me to trust in You.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.