READING: Matthew 8:5-13, 11:1-30; Luke 7
“Are you the one who is to come?”
Matthew 11:3
I wonder how many times I’ve been surprised by – and perhaps even bothered by – God’s plan for my life. If I’m honest, I must admit that most things in general have worked out well for me, and the surprises have not been many. When I have been surprised, though, it has often caught me off guard. Some of those times have been when God moved us from one ministry to another, and we weren’t necessarily looking for a new place to serve. At other times, we knew we were right where God wanted us to be—but the work of ministry was much, much harder than we ever dreamed it would be.
None of my questions, though, have ever been like John the Baptist’s question of Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”(Matt. 11:3). John knew he was the chosen forerunner of Jesus. He knew he wasn’t worthy to tie his shoes. He knew he had to decrease even as Jesus increased. And, he had even baptized Jesus. Still, he questioned when he found himself in prison.
Apparently, he had other ideas about what the Messiah would be like. Perhaps he thought Jesus would become the political savior from the bondage of Rome. Maybe he expected Jesus to deal with sinners in a much more dramatic, rapid way. Or, maybe he never thought a follower of the Messiah would be imprisoned. Whatever the cause for his question, John sent messengers to get His word.
Jesus’ response was simple. In fact, I’ll paraphrase it this way: “Just look at what I’ve done, and you’ll know I’m the One to come.” He may have arrived and ministered differently than John expected, but He was still the Messiah. When we struggle with doubts and questions, it’s right for us to do the same thing – go back to the Word and see what Jesus has done.
ACTION STEPS:
- Review your readings in the Gospels this week, and meditate on who Jesus is.
- If John could doubt, we might, too—but God still expects us to come to Him.
PRAYER: “Lord, help me to trust you fully, without questions or doubts.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Matthew 12:22-50, Mark 3:22-35, Luke 8:19-21; 11:14-54