Are You the One?

    

Matt 11:1-6

 

11 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"

4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:  5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

NKJV

 

What?!  Offended with Jesus? Offended with the Almighty?  Does that really happen?  You betcha! It happened to Bible greats such as Elijah and John the Baptist,  and happens today to everyday Joe's and Jane's like you and me.

In this passage John the Baptist, the faithful forerunner of Christ, is wasting away in prison.  After spending years preaching, "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand," John is forced into premature retirement.  The one he heralded; the One he proclaimed,  has rose up in power, just as he predicted.  So where did that leave John the Baptist?  Sitting in jail, possibly questioning his life's work.  All of a sudden, he is no longer sure.  Needing affirmation, he sent some disciples to ask, in essence, "Are you the One I have been waiting for?"

Don't forget that previously John the Baptist himself had pronounced these powerful words:   "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"  (John 1:29)  Where had his confidence gone?  Why is he now doubting when Jesus' ministry was growing exponentially?

Jesus said that there was no greater man than John the Baptist, but here he is- unsure, discouraged, and possibly feeling cast aside.  How can a person go from one extreme to the other?  Very easily.  Very easily indeed.

When we are operating in a powerful anointing, it is easy to speak boldly in the Spirit.  But afterward, when we are feeling like "plain 'ol us", we can struggle with self-doubt and confusion.  Maybe even disillusionment with God. 

I am not sure what John the Baptist expected, but if I were him, maybe I would have thought after a life of sacrifice, maybe Jesus would work a miracle on my behalf. Maybe it was hard to understand why the Lord had not protected him. And for those of us familiar with the rest of the story, we know the plot does not improve for John.  He is later beheaded and made a door prize for a dancing little girl.

What, then, is the moral to this story? Faithfulness to God is not about outcome, but rather, obedience.  All we can do is fulfill our duty and trust God that it will turn out in a way that furthers His Kingdom and is for our good.  That does not mean everything will be good.  It just means that it will ultimately turn out for our good. 

The ending of John the Baptist's life can almost seem like a tragic movie.  The hero dies at the end, and the curtains close.  You leave the theater undone and saddened, but deeply moved. But what is going on here is so much greater, so much more universal and eternal than we will ever perceive.  I have no doubt in my mind that the minute the sword severed John's head, that he was immediately ushered into the presence of God with much fanfare.  A true hero's welcome.  No more to doubt or feel alone.  Then his focus was clear as a bell.

I don't know what you are going through today.  I can only speak to what I feel the Word of God speaks to us.  No matter how lonely and misunderstood you feel, God sees you, He cares and He has not forgotten.  You will walk in your destiny if you will just hold on and obey to the end.  The outcome and reward may not be evident here, but rest assured, in eternity it will be worth it all!

Dear Lord, I need to see life through Your perspective.  Forgive me for times I doubt and harbor offense with Your plan and ways.  I submit to follow you, come what may.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.