1 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 3to 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.
In this passage we see that John, the prophet-cousin of Jesus, had been jailed. John had faithful followers who were dedicated to him. They had a longing to see the Messiah, they lived deeply and daily in that longing. Their hearts ached for it. So, when Jesus showed up on the scene, they wanted to make sure of what they were seeing. It seems that these folks, and even John himself, had some doubts about who Jesus was. This should not be a threatening idea. John was a prophet of the Most High God and he was human. Questions are not wrong. Indeed, I believe that God is delighted when we ask questions of him.
I admire John because he went right to the Source. He did not consult with local religious leaders or seek out the latest commentaries or listen to the latest gossip. “Are you the One?” he asked Jesus. Jesus then responded by declaring John as a man of godly integrity and even as the great prophet who had been called and destined for his truth-telling. The Living Hope provided evidence: the sick were being healed, dead were being raised, and new life was brought through the good news being preached. Yes, he was the One!
Jesus said, “If you are willing to accept it, [John] is the Elijah who was to come.” This is in reference to Malachi 4:5-6 which states, “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” The Jewish people knew that the great prophet Elijah (whose story can be found in I Kings) was one of the precursors to the Messiah. John was another prophet through whom the truth of the Messiah had come. But in John’s time all of those prophesies were proved in the Messiah who had finally arrived on the scene! No longer did they have to long for his coming. He had arrived!
Today we may be fraught with all kinds of questions about the authenticity of Jesus Christ as the only Son of God. We may be pummeled by our current culture that disdains belief in only one or any god. Or we may be mocked or persecuted for believing in the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This passage in Matthew gives us an example of how we face such challenges. We need to go directly to the Source. We are challenged to enter into by faith and grow in a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Just as John and all of the disciples had to lay their questions at his feet, our questions about him can be taken to the Source directly. Then, as we recognize the truth—that sick are being healed, dead are being raised, and new life is given to any who would receive the Gospel message—we can lean more heavily in the Truth that sets us free to believe!
May 2023 be filled to overflowing with the assurance that the long-expected Messiah has come, that our personal and living Savior is who he and prophets say he is, giving us great hope for today and for the future!
Amen
© M.R.Hyde 2023
