Jesus is the ONE

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”
Matthew 11:2-3

I know I have told you that from my youngest days I have not been able to listen to Bible stories without inserting myself into the narrative.  This reading has always made me put myself in John’s shoes.  Why would he ask this question?  After all he is the one who has been telling people that Jesus is coming as the Messiah.  He is the one who balked at baptizing Jesus because he recognized him as the Son of God.  So why would he be asking whether Jesus is the Messiah? He more than anyone should be confident in the answer to that question.

But now John is in prison, soon to be put to death.  Surely, we can forgive him having doubts.  After all, the Messiah was meant to restore Israel’s place in the world.  But Jesus has not overcome the Roman Empire and the people of Israel continue to suffer the indignities of occupation and oppression.  So, asking whether Jesus is really the one they have been waiting for does not seem that far-fetched. 

John’s moment of doubt is a gift to us.  If he, Jesus’ cousin, the greatest amongst the prophets, asks, “are you the One?”  Then our moments of doubt, and despair do not remove us from God.  Rather God replies to us too in those moments, “I see you, I love you!”  Our doubt does not condemn us in God’s eyes, but rather are seen by our God as an opportunity to remind us of God’s immense love for us.

Let us pray…

 Lord I believe, help my unbelief.  Amen.