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 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."
John the Baptist had declared of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." John understood that his prophetic role was to prepare the way for the Messiah. And he knew that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. But now he seems to be doubting.
John, at this time is in King Herod's prison. He is out of touch with the outside world. He doesn't know what has been happening. He is lonely. He is feeling abandoned. He begins to understand that he will likely die in prison, and he begins to think that if He was mistaken about Jesus being the Messiah, he had not accomplished his God-given purpose. Because of his dark circumstances, he was filled with doubts and fears. So his sends some of his followers to ask Jesus.
Jesus could have been offended. Jesus could have rebuked John for his lack of faith. But he didn't. Gently, he told the messengers to simply report to John what they have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. In doing this, Jesus was affirming that He was, indeed, the Messiah and that John's purpose had been fulfilled. Jesus was saying, in effect, "Well done." And I believe that John was satisfied.
Sometimes we, like John, get discouraged by our circumstances. We have a difficult time understanding the bigger picture. Life seems hurtful. We wonder if we are even on the same page with God...maybe we even wonder if there is a God.
In such times God invites us to look beyond our personal circumstances to see what He is doing. Think of other times and places when God provided and protected and healed and forgave. See where He is still healing the sick and hurting and loving the unlovable and forgiving the unforgivable. We don't always see the big picture and our doubts and fears are natural. This does not upset God or offend Him in any way -but He invites us to raise our eyes and see that He is still a good and loving and compassionate Father. He has not changed. Take heart.
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