Are You the One?

Matthew 11:1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. 2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" 4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." 7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.' 11 "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers 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 receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear! 16 But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, 17 and saying: 'We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children."

John the Baptist has one of the greatest questions in the history of the world to ask of Jesus. So he sends two if his disciples to inquire of Jesus personally, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"

John wants to know if Jesus is the Messiah. This is what all of us need to ask, and what all of us need to know as well. Is Jesus the Messiah? If He is, everything about our lives must change.

John finds himself in a pretty hopeless condition – unless Jesus IS the Messiah. He has been imprisoned for speaking out against king Herod, for marrying his (Herod’s) sister-in-law.

But, if Jesus IS the Messiah – why is John still in prison? (From John’s perspective,) why hasn’t Jesus taken control of the land as a conqueror? What is He waiting for? When is the Messiah’s kingdom on earth to begin?

You see, John’s interpretation of what Messiah is come to do would be the same as all those living at that time. The anticipation was for Messiah to come to rule not just Jerusalem and Israel, but all the world. In a sense John is saying, “Jesus, it’s time for you to get busy.” (Unless that is, you are NOT the Messiah.) But wasn’t it John himself who first recognized Jesus AS Messiah, when He baptized Him at the Jordan?

I love Jesus’ answer to John, (a man Jesus obviously loves and admires.) Jesus points John back to the Word of God, the place where all of us must recognize Messiah. Does it surprise you Jesus didn’t simply say, “Yes, John, I Am the Messiah?”

-Pastor Bill