After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.[a]
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
Disappointed With Jesus
Jesus, there are days when I would like you to be different. I’d like you to be more spectacular. I’d like you to take care of everything, and everyone. I’d like to see Creation wrapped up with a bow. Then I realise I am asking for Armageddon. I am asking for you to baby us so that we don’t mature. We have the cross and we have the Bible. I believe there are miracles and people receive their sight and the lame walk. I want the healings so that I am reassured, though. There is very little philanthropic in my desires.
Help me not to stumble. Help me not to create my own demands for what you should do to prove yourself. Help me not to try and bend you to my agenda. Conform me to what is truly best. Help me to endure the tests and to ride out the storms. Although I want the spectacular, help me to see the beauty in quietly changed lives. Help me to glory in the gospel as it works its mighty effects in individuals. Help me to be an agent who brings the gospel and knows that it is enough.
Questions
- Where was John?
- Why was John discouraged?
- How would Jesus’ answers prepare John to die?
- How do you feel seeing John discarded when his work was done?
- When do you doubt your faith and how? What do you think Jesus would reply?
Plymothian 