20 OCT 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional
“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.’” Matthew 11:4-6
I think we all struggle with doubt and disappointment and need affirmation about what God is doing in the world. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by preaching and baptizing as many as would receive. John faced opposition to his ministry from the religious elite and from those who didn’t like him calling out their sins. This landed him in hot water and by the eleventh chapter of Matthew’s gospel, he is sitting in jail.
John had heard that Jesus’ ministry had taken off well, but John expected a liberator and a rebellion to take place freeing the Jews from Roman and religious oppression. He is probably thinking, when am I going to be set free so I can team up with Team Jesus and take the country back? He is not alone in his expectations as the disciples too thought Jesus would restore Israel to prominence. Was this the plan?
John sends his disciples to Jesus to get a full report of what is happening. Jesus responds with the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the miraculous signs that would accompany the Messiah. He footnoted the statement with this caveat: God blesses those who do not fall away because of me or are offended by me. (ESV) Jesus is shattering any expectation that the Jews have added on and if it can happen to John, it can happen to any of us. Sometimes we desire Jesus to do some great thing that he is capable of doing but isn’t part of the plan.
Instead of doubting or being disappointed, we need to go back and look at what He actually said he is going to do. We also need to look at what we are supposed to do and are commanded to do. When you read it, the Scriptures will comfort and affirm you, unless you are disobedient. Then it will smack you!
Does Jesus offend you for not meeting your expectations?
Reading Plan: Psalm 16, 17; Jer. 38:14-28; 1 Cor. 15:1-11; Matt. 11:1-6
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