Saturday
John’s disciples told him about all these things [Jesus’ miracles]. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else.”
At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
(Luke 7:18-23, NIV)
The Gospel writers tell us that following Jesus’ temptation in the desert and the news of John the Baptist’s arrest and imprisonment (Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14), Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee. Despite the fact that John baptized Jesus, the one whose sandals he feels unworthy to tie, his prolonged imprisonment must have raised doubts in his mind about Jesus. John, the last of the Old Testament prophets, is increasingly unsure whether or not he has baptized the true Messiah. This episode in Luke, also recorded in Matthew 11:2-6, is a startling one. John is a righteous man who fears no one. He prepares the way for Jesus by telling the Jews to repent in no uncertain terms. Yet what he expects to happen apparently is not occurring.
Jesus’ response to his doubting “advance man” is revealing. He tells John’s followers to report back to John that people with all sorts of sicknesses and diseases are being healed, blind peoples’ sight is being restored, lame people can now walk, dead people are being brought back to life, and the gospel is being preached to the poor. In effect, Jesus reminds John that he is fulfilling his “manifesto,” which he had read in the synagogue at the beginning of his ministry, a “manifesto” prophesied by Isaiah more than 700 years before Christ’s birth. This is Jesus’ ministry – healing and preaching as was predicted. He is indeed the Prince of Peace, a peace (shalom) in all its fullness.
Prayer
Lord God, we confess that there are times when we doubt like John the Baptist. Despite what we know and have experienced, we waiver in our commitment to Jesus. Give us the strength to remain true followers of your Son and help us not to “fall away.” Amen.