When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region. John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.” As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! “To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’ For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
Matthew 11:1-19 NLT
If you have ever struggled with doubt, take heart! Even a hero of the faith like John the Baptist had doubts as well. He pursued the answers and found a deeper faith in Christ. John was Jesus’ cousin, and he believed in Jesus. He called Jesus the Lamb of God, told his followers to follow Jesus, and didn’t consider himself worthy to baptize Christ. But John struggled with doubts because Jesus didn’t fulfill all his expectations. Jesus, in His typical way, didn’t give John a simple answer but pushed him deeper. Christ pointed to the actions demonstrated in His ministry—powerful results that fulfilled the word of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus would not conform to John’s expectations (or ours), but His answer pushed John to a deeper faith.
Jesus and John the Baptist were very different from each other. John was serious and somber (like a funeral song). Jesus was upbeat and celebratory (like a wedding song). God used two different types of people to reach the unrepentant people (unfortunately most didn’t respond). The Lord uses different people in different ways to reach others. Sharing the gospel is a (non-negotiable) command, and the world needs each person moving in their unique personality and gifts. Appreciate the different ways our Creator has made people to share the good news. And live out YOUR role in proclaiming Jesus as LORD.
What are your doubts, and how are you pursuing deeper answers? What is your role (or personality style) in sharing the gospel with others?
