Matthew 11:2-11
Messengers from John the Baptist
2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
Jesus Praises John the Baptist
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What, then, 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,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.”
11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Meditation
Last week we heard from John the Baptizer, calling people to repent and be baptized in preparation for “the one who is coming.” This week, John is also the main character. We have fast forwarded in the story to where Jesus is well established in his ministry. And he has been very busy. He has chosen and started training the twelve (see Matthew 4:18-22, 9:9-13, 10:1-42); he has preached the famous Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5:1-7:29); and he has healed and restored lepers (see Matthew 8:1-4), the paralyzed (see Matthew 8:5-13 and 9:2-8), the blind (see Matthew 9:27-31), the mute (see Matthew 9:35-38), and raised a girl who purportedly was dead (see Matthew 9:8-26).
It seems strange that John would question that Jesus is the awaited Messiah because he witnessed the confirmation of the “spirit descending like a dove” (Matthew 3:16b) and heard the voice proclaiming, “this is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17) at Jesus’ baptism. Now, in his present predicament in prison, John, is discouraged that he may have got it wrong and Jesus is not really the Messiah. “Are you the one” (vs. 3)? Are you an imposter? Have I been fooled? Is my life work a waste? Valid questions for someone in prison for preparing the way of “the one.”
Jesus reassures John that he was not snookered by pointing to the scriptures. Remember Isaiah? Remember the redemption and restoration texts? Texts where “the one” is described by his actions: Healing lepers, sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, voice to the mute, restoring the paralyzed and lame (See Isaiah 35:5-6). Texts where “the one” is anointed and brings good news for the oppressed and brokenhearted; liberty to captives and release to prisoners (see Isaiah 61:1). John would understand the scriptural context Jesus points to in Isaiah and be comforted. Jesus, then, lets the crowd know that John is a prophet to the highest degree (spoilers: he is actually Elijah returned, see Matthew 11:14). John will receive his reward for his role in God’s plan even though he did not dress the part nor is his present predicament evidence of the part.
Wow, good for John! But, how is this story helpful for us? First, this story reassures us that Jesus is “the one.” Second, it also reassures us that being discouraged and asking for confirmation that we are on the right track is an appropriate part of faith. Jesus did not chastise John for his question nor did he remind John that he was there at Jesus’ baptism. He simply answered the question and backed up his answer with scriptural proofs. We, too, can ask boldly whatever questions arise and listen for the answer. Third, we can be confident in our anticipation of his return because we have scripture that tells us the signs and shows us how we will recognize him when he does return (spoilers: listen for the sound of the trumpet, Matthew 24:3-51). Our faith, questions and all, calls us to prepare the way for Christ’s return and as surely as John received his reward so it will be for us. Come, Lord Jesus, Come!