Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Wednesday, August 8 - Kathryn

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 4-6
Today's scripture focus is Matthew 11:1-15


11 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] 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.”
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what 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:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, 
    who will prepare your way before you.’[c]
11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.

I want to hone in on verse two.  It has always intrigued me that John, who prophesied about Jesus, saw the dove descend upon Jesus at the baptism and even proclaimed that He was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, seems to show doubt here.  I wonder if John was indeed doubting, or if he was simply checking to be sure.  Scripture doesn't give us intimate conversations that the two cousins would have had, but surely this issue would have been discussed prior.  Maybe not.  
However, lets look at John for a moment.  He's in prison, surely he knows that this is not going to end well.  This is probably a pretty low point for the man.  And isn't that the time when the enemy kicks us?  There is no other time I get more doubts, more negative thoughts in my mind than when I am down, when I'm hurt.  I find it comforting to see a great man, whom Jesus goes on to say was greater than all the other prophets, had doubts.  And Jesus didn't chastise John for those doubts, instead He allayed his doubts.  He comforted him in his low point.  
But isn't that like Jesus anyway?  He knows we are frail.  He knows we can't see past this moment we are in.  The God of all comfort comforts us so that we may comfort others in their weakness.  In Jesus answering John's doubts He is proclaiming to those listening that He is the Messiah, the One who was prophesied about.  
Our doubts can bring others to faith.  Interesting thought.  Doubts aren't all that bad.  And can end in some good, if we bring them to Jesus.  



Tomorrow's scripture focusMatthew 11:16-19
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Jeremiah 7-9

2 comments:

Miriam said...

Thanks, Kathryn! I probably wouldn't have paid particular attention to that specific verse. Good points about doubt and comfort.

Tammy said...

Great thoughts here Kathryn!


One point made by Ray Vanderlaan in his Follow the Rabbi series, was that basically John was asking Jesus if he was going to be set free. And Jesus answers (in the style of a remez) with a multitude of small messianic prophecies - most of which were normally in close proximity to passages which also talked about captives being set free and false accusers being overthrown. But though Jesus tells him that the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, good news is preached to the poor - He does not say that the prisoners are set free, telling John that even though Jesus is the Messiah, John will die in prison, and that John should not let this be a stumbling block.