Blogging through the Gospels: Matthew 11

I have been blogging through the Gospels (at a slightly slower pace) with Amy, from Mom's Toolbox.


Reading:  Matthew 11

Scripture: 

Matthew 11:2-5
2. When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples
3. to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
4. Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5. 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..."

Observation:

John is in prison, and had been hearing reports about what Jesus and the amazing things that he was doing.  Being human, John must have forgotten that the sky had opened up and the voice of GOD had declared that Jesus was His beloved son.  Because he was trapped in prison and not able to be part of the teaching, learning and fellowship that Christ offered, maybe he had convinced himself that Jesus was just another man.  But then the reports rolled in.  He sent his disciples to find out the TRUTH.

Jesus could have said many things:

"Hello--- the Jordan River?? Dove landing on my shoulder? Voice from Heaven? Ringing any bells?"

or

"I AM."

or

"The Scriptures prophesying the coming of a Savior have now been fulfilled."


But.... more often than not, Jesus calls us to examine the evidence and come to our own conclusion.


Application:


My God is not afraid to let us come to our own conclusion.  When we examine the evidence, it all points to Him.  He is not afraid, intimidated or disappointed by our questions.  He loves it when we survey the scene, ask our questions, ponder the evidence, and realize through our own digging that HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS.


By telling John's disciples to report back to him what they were seeing, Jesus was not just being humble. He was/is humble.  But it is so much more than that.  In order for our faith to be real, we have to take a problem apart, and put the pieces back together and see that HE has always been the answer.


Prayer:


Dear Jesus,

Thank you.  I have been so overwhelmed at the beauty of your life, your love, your example.  I am so unworthy, and I am lost without you.  Please help me to cling to you.  I will never be the woman you see in me.  But, My LORD, My Savior...  I commit my heart once again to you.   I have done the research, and all of the evidence is pointing to you.


Thank you, from a grateful, broken, burdened, and overwhelmed heart.

Amen.