Doubting John and the Compassionate Christ (Matthew 11:1-6)
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While we have often heard of “Doubting Thomas,” we sometimes forget that even fiery John the Baptizer began to wonder if Jesus Christ was really the Messiah after all. The question that John the Baptist faces is also the question that rings hauntingly to us as well – “Art thou he that should come or look we for another?” John does not seem to fit the profile of a doubter – the prophet who announced Jesus as the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” and who died a martyr’s death for his gutsy rebuke of Herod for his immorality. Yet Jesus does not respond by condemning John or by telling the other disciples how poor a follower John really is, but instead he graciously points John to the evidence.
– What does Jesus’ response to John tell us about the way we should respond when we are tempted to doubt?
Living in the difficult conditions of a hot and uncomfortable prison in Herod’s palace, John had heard of all that Jesus had done. What troubled John was not so much what he had heard, as much as it was what he had not heard. While he had heard of the preaching and the miracles, he had not heard of one thing that he was waiting for – judgment. John would have reasonably expected that when the Messiah came, he would set the disordered culture right and bring about justice. John doubts because Jesus does not appear to be doing what he thought he should be doing. Our doubts often live in the one place where we do not see God working. There might be a mountain of evidence before us, but in a minute of crisis, we lose our confidence because God does not seem to be helping us the way we would like or expect.
– Is there a specific area in which you are tempted to think God is not working? In what ways has God previously demonstrated His faithfulness, and is currently demonstrating His faithfulness, that might serve as the mountain of evidence upon which to base your confidence in Him?
In response to John’s doubt, Jesus points out to him the pattern of handicap and healing. In every instance there is a handicap and then there is a healing. In each case there is a reversal of the effects of the fall. He has demonstrated in particular instances a universal conclusion. Though Jesus again does not mention Judgment in his response to John, he is showing that just as this pattern is true for each particular instance he mentions, it will also be true of judgment. What John may not have seen is that Jesus does not do all of His business at one time. While Jesus’ first coming is depicted by humility and meekness, His second coming will be characterized by fiery indignation, judgment, and wrath against every evildoer. Rather than be upset with how Jesus is doing His business, we should be grateful for the 2000-year-plus season of mercy before His return.
– How does Jesus’ response to John give you hope when you question the way that God seems to be doing His business in your life?