Matthew
11:2-15
“Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for
another?”
(Matthew
11:3b)
John’s question in today’s text is a
bit surprising given his powerful affirmation of Jesus in John 1:29 as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of
the world.” Just a few days ago we
looked at John’s words as he said of Jesus, “He must increase, and I must
decrease.” Yet, in today’s text he
seems to be having second thoughts.
Faith, by its very definition, seems
to invite doubt. The writer of the New
Testament book of Hebrews says, “Faith
means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real
even if we do not see it.” (Hebrews 11:1 NCV) Not exactly the tangible definition that
gives one sure and certain confidence.
Perhaps John, whose question came to
Jesus from his prison cell, was experiencing one of those moments most of us
have when things don’t turn out like we thought they would. Doubt, held at bay
in better times, suddenly becomes a persistent partner that poses the kind of
nagging questions that breed uncertainty.
Are you the one…or do we wait for
another?
Jesus sent word to John through
John’s disciples that change had come…the blind see, the deaf hear, even the
dead are raised to new life. Evidence
then, as now, was seen in changed lives.
By faith, Mary trusted the word of
the Lord and the impossible became possible.
By faith, Joseph trusted the word of the Lord and he embraced Mary and
her child, who became the Savior of the world.
By faith, you and I must trust than indeed Jesus, the Christ, is the
One…we wait, not for another, but for His
return.
Prayer: In our doubts, Lord, remind
us that Jesus Christ has already come, and is coming again.
Amen.
Jim
Abernathy
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