#DailyDevotion Is Jesus The Messiah Or Should We Expect Someone Else?
Matthew 11:2-6
2When John, who was in prison, heard about the works of Christ, he sent his disciples 3to ask Him, “Are You the One Who is coming, or should we look for someone else?” 4“Go,” Jesus answered them, “tell John what you hear and see: 5The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor hear the good news, 6and happy is anyone who doesn’t turn against Me.”
So John was in prison for preaching against Herod and his wife Herodias’ immoral marriage. John had been preaching when the Messiah comes the winnowing fork would be in his hand, i.e. he would be bringing judgment. Now we know from several of the Gospels John knew Jesus was the Messiah, particularly in the Gospel of John. It does not appear at this time that Jesus was doing much winnowing. After all, some of the chaff that needed to we winnowed was sitting above him in the palace living the life of luxury. So, what’s up with that? John was expecting fire and brimstone and none of that was happening.
So John sends his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are You the One Who is coming, or should we look for someone else?” It seems fair enough to ask that. Now, I’ll admit some say John didn’t have his doubts but was preparing his disciples to follow Jesus. However, given the state of mind we see in other prophets like Moses and Elijah in difficult times, I don’t see how his doubt would be inconsistent with his faith. The LORD repeats himself a lot in the Old Testament because his people are but flesh and blood. We New Testament saints need constant reminding as well, so we go to church every Sunday.
Jesus’ response to them is to point them to another not quite so judgment filled prophecy of the coming of the Messiah from Isaiah 35, “5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be opened. 6Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing.” Granted the verse before this says, “4Tell those who are worried: “Have courage, don’t be afraid. Look, your God comes with vengeance; God will pay back. He will come and save you.” But everything in its own time. At this time the Messiah has come to proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins and restore those who deserve judgment to God the Father. This proclamation is proclaimed with these miracles Jesus is doing: healing the blind, lame, deaf, dead and proclaiming the good news to the poor.
We too often get impatient with the LORD as we look at the world around us. Sometimes it may feel like Satan is winning. We worry if we too may end up like John. Some go so far as to say we will be taken out of this world before the great tribulation. But we won’t escape it. We should expect trials, tribulations, wars and rumors of wars until Jesus comes. Until then we need to be reminded of the great love God has for us in Christ Jesus. We are called to proclaim to the world to repent and be baptized into the name of Jesus to have their sins forgiven and escaped the judgment of Christ when he returns. Look at what Jesus has preached and done in his first advent so we may look forward to his second advent with hope and courage.
Almighty God and Father, grant we may continually hear the good news of Jesus Christ that we may be strengthened when we forget or in doubt of your graciousness toward us in Christ Jesus your Son. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.