1When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.
4Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—5the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.6And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’ ”
John the Baptist, the one Jesus said was the greatest prophet that ever lived, doubted Jesus was the Messiah. How could it be? What chance do we have of keeping the faith. The Jews at the time were expecting a conquering Messiah that would come and destroy their enemies the Romans and establish perpetual Jewish rule on Earth. John was suffering in a prison, most likely under horrible conditions, knowing he was likely to be set free only through death. Can we blame John for wanting a conquering Messiah. I’m not so sure he doubted who Jesus was as much as he was trying to spur Jesus into action with a bit of a taunt.
But Jesus patiently points out that He is simply fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament see (Isaiah 29:18-19; 35:5-6; 61:1). Jesus was not what the people expected or wanted. And doesn’t Jesus still surprise, and disappoint, us in this same way sometimes? I catch myself treating Him like Santa Clause sometimes, or maybe like a “Get Out Of Jail Free” card. We so often don’t want Jesus to see us through our trials, but to take our trials away. Some day He will do just that, but for now, we need to get to know who Jesus really is. We need to be will to spend time in a dungeon, so we can truly die to this life, and know Jesus as the Savior he truly is.
Lord, help me to know You. Not the You I want You to be. No, change me so I truly know who You really are. Change me so I can be empty of myself and full of You, the real You. Beginner’s Online Bible Study *obbs*
Allow Jesus to be your Rock in life, to be the one that you go to with all your fears and your joys. Know that He is there for you, always and longs to have a relationship with you!