David Bahn – Reflections

Matthew 11:1-15 (ESV)
When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. ² Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples ³ and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

⁴ And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

⁷ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹ What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is he of whom it is written, ” ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’

¹¹ Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one 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 suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, ¹⁴ and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. ¹⁵ He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

It’s easy to get discouraged when your dreams seem to be dissolving before your eyes. Perhaps this was what John the Baptist was facing as he lay in prison after having introduced Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) Maybe he didn’t expect to be put in prison. Perhaps he didn’t think Jesus would gather his own disciples separate from him. At least I can image several similar scenarios which would make me lose heart and wonder.

Many have faced times of bewilderment, discouragement, and doubt. Am I really on the right path? Is this Christian faith really true? Is God really listening to my prayers?

We may need to examine our expectations and beliefs about the outcome of our faith and relationship with God. We might think, “If I believe in God, then…” (some good thing will happen). We may conclude that Jesus isn’t answering our prayer if we or a loved one is not healed.

The reality is that the good outcome of our faith may be far better than what we imagine as being good in the moment. God’s answer to our prayers may be far more far reaching and delightful than a healing here and now.

Jesus’ statement about John as “Elijah who was to come” points us to the ultimate plan of God for the salvation of the whole world. When we face disappointment of any kind, we do well to hold to that hope. That hope will not fail us.