Our scripture this week is Matthew 11:2-11.
We can empathize with John the Baptist for asking the question “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
(Matthew 11:3). God promised a Savior, a Son of David, one who would set us free. Yet John is in prison while Jesus teaches about love.
John had received special knowledge from God that Jesus was the One, but John didn’t see what he expected. Scripture doesn’t say what exactly John was looking for, but many thought the Messiah would come as a mighty warrior to destroy God’s enemies and restore His kingdom on earth by conquest.
Jesus replies to John’s question powerfully but simply “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” (Matthew 11:5). Jesus came to be our king, but not in the way anyone expected. We need to change our hearts and lives to be part of His conquest of love and peace.
Heavenly Father, we often fail to see how You answer prayer because our ways are not Your ways. May we feel Your saving grace during this time of preparation and make ourselves ready to receive the gift of the Messiah. Amen.