Tag: Are You the One

John was in lockup. His crime? Exercising free speech, or perhaps surpassing its subjective limits. And now the death penalty loomed. Seven hundred years prior, Isaiah had foretold John as the herald of the Messiah — “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”¹ It was John who proclaimed Jesus’ identity to the crowd: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”² It was John who, though first demurring, baptized the Son of God in the flowing waters of the Jordan.³ He was there to see the Spirit descend upon Jesus like a dove and to hear the celestial voice: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”⁴

Now from his correctional confines, John heard reports of Jesus’ miracles and the people’s boundless joy. But there he sat, once a trumpeter and now a prisoner. How could this be? Was I wrong? I hear the reports, but here I sit. So John sent two of his followers to Jesus with this question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”⁵ I suspect most of us can relate; I certainly can. In troubled times we may ask, “Where are you, God? Are you real? Do you care? Do my prayers matter?” Contemplating our demise we may ask, “Did you really take away my sins? Will you really take me into your rest? Is my hope indeed secure?” In other words, we all are tempted — literally tempted by the evil one — to doubt.

Then what must we do amid the hissing enticement to grow weak? Appeal to what we have already seen Jesus do in, through, and around us. To John’s messengers Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”⁶ I’d venture to say God has done far more in and around each one of us than we can recall — healings, inexplicable coincidences, divine surprises, fulness in the Spirit, the peace in forgiveness. We could go on. In fact, do just that — start a list of God’s faithfulness in your life; you’ll be amazed.

Jesus had one more word for the messengers to take back to John: “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”⁷ When tempted by the tempter to question this Son of God, choose faith — choose to believe. Yes, He is the one. Rest in Him.

Father, You show Your love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.⁸ In Him we trust; in Him we rest. And in Him we pray. Amen.

¹ Isaiah 40:3 NIV
² John 1:29 ESV
³ Matthew 3:13-14
⁴ Matthew 3:17 NIV
⁵ Luke 7:19 NIV
⁶ Luke 7:22 NIV
⁷ Luke 7:23 NIV
⁸ Romans 5:8 NIV