Are You The One?

Now when John [the Baptist] in prison heard about the activities of Christ, he sent word by his disciples  and asked Him, “Are You the Expected One (the Messiah), or should we look for someone else [who will be the promised One]?”
               --Matthew 11:2-3 Amplified


Do you know what it's like to be in a dark place?

Mentally?

Physically?

Emotionally?

Spiritually?

All of the above?

You're in good company if you've said yes to the above. If you search the Scriptures you might be surprised to find that many if not most of the names included in Hebrews' Hall of Faith (chapter 11) wrestled with just such a valley experience or two; Jacob, who wrestled with an angel of God but not before tricking his twin brother Esau out of his blessing with the help of their mother. Elijah, who one day defeated 200+ Baal soldiers and the next day upon learning the evil queen Jezebel was seeking him to kill him hid and prayed to die. Abraham and Sarah, who grew impatient waiting on God's timing for the promise of a son took matters into their own hands and sought to fulfill that promise through their handmaiden Hagar. King David, who not only committed adultery with another man's wife but also sent that man to war, placing him on the front lines knowing full well he would be killed (and he was), and then, after taking said wife as his own, hid his sin for a year before being called out by a man named Nathan. Moses, who was a stutterer and questioned God's calling him to lead his people from slavery to freedom. These amazing people of faith who went on to be used mightily by God knew first hand what it meant to be face down in the pit of life.

John the Baptizer also knew this feeling. 

John who?

John the Baptizer...or John the Baptist as he is known in many "religious" circles. The forerunner of Jesus (Isaiah 40:3, Luke 1:16, Malachi 4:4-5, and Matthew 11:12-15), he was also Jesus' earthly cousin, born just six months apart in the late 1st. century BC. In fact, as an unborn baby, John was the first to acknowledge the presence of Jesus. Luke 1:39-44 says this:

        Now at this time Mary arose and hurried to the hill country, to a city of Judah (Judea), and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him. And she exclaimed loudly, “Blessed [worthy to be praised] are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 

John's character was bold and stark. Clothed in camel's hair with only a belt made of leather holding it in place and dining on wild honey and locusts, he appeared to be someone wild and wooly but definitely a prophet of sorts. He was not a social being in the sense of attending parties or seeking out the crowds. Just the opposite. Rather than seeking them out, he attracted them. Outspokenly raw and nakedly candid, his influence defied definition and the multitudes were drawn to him as he prepared the way for the coming Messiah. 

Ah! but John's message of sin and repentance was not a welcome sound to the ears of Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great who was responsible for the killing of the babies at the time of Jesus' birth. At this time he was married to the daughter of a Nabatean king. However, on a trip to Rome, he became "taken" with the wife of his brother Philip, whose name was Herodias. After some "sweet talk" on the part of Antipas, Herodias left his brother and Antipas left his wife, taking Herodias as his own. Though this relationship was referred to as "marriage" it was unlawful and, suffice it to say, the holy and righteous John had no problem calling them both out. Unfortunately his boldness landed him in Antipas' prison.

Ironically, Antipas, knowing John's righteousness, had an interest in John's message and listened to him speak on more than one occasion. Not only did he have a secret liking of John but there was also a certain amount of fear of him. Because of the Baptizer's popularity, the fear of a revolt always loomed at the front of Antipas' mind. Still, Mark 6:20 tells us that he "heard him gladly."

Herodias, on the other hand, was not as glad hearted. She despised John and quietly sought to kill him but could not because of the restrain of Antipas. John had been imprisoned at their fortress; her opportunity had not yet arrived. 

What must it have been like for John during that time? 

Scripture tells us that, after hearing of Jesus' ministry, he sent a message to Him which basically boiled down to this: "Are you the one or should we keep looking?"

Curious, isn't it, that the forerunner of the Messiah would forget in the dark what had been preached in the light?

Why do you suppose that was?

Was John having trouble reconciling grace with wrath?

Was John, as with so many others of the Hebrew faith, imagining Jesus as a more political Messiah, becoming confused by His non-aggressive, seemingly passive, love and benevolence message?

Or was he just plain scared? Losing hope and gaining doubt?  Wondering why, since Jesus had come to set the captives free, why was he (John) still in prison? 

Have you been there? 

Are you there now?

What was Jesus' response to John's questions?

Did He reprimand him, telling him that he of all people should know better?

Did He chastise him?

Did He belittle or degrade him?

None of the above...

Instead Jesus has this to say:

Jesus answered, “Go and report to John what you hear and see:  the blind receive [their] sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed [by healing] and the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed [joyful, favored by God] is he who does not take offense at Me [accepting Me as the Messiah and trusting confidently in My message of salvation].” ( Matthew 11:4-6) 

Jesus didn't stop there. He went on:  As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out in the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind [which is commonplace]?  What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing [entirely unsuited for the harsh desert]? Those who wear soft clothing are in the palaces of kings!  But what did you [really] go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one[more eminent, more remarkable, and] far more than a prophet [who foretells the future].  This is the one of whom it is written [by the prophet Malachi],

‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’

 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater [in privilege] than he.  From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize].  For all the prophets and the Law prophesied up until John.  And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is [the fulfillment of] Elijah [as the messenger] who was to come [before the kingdom]. He who has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words. (vv. 7-15) 

Not only did Jesus send a message of hope and comfort back to John's waiting ears, He spoke a message of tribute and honor to this mighty man of faith. Jesus was not shaken by John's questions. He was neither disturbed nor dismayed by those moments of doubt. He was moved with love, mercy, and compassion and sought to give courage, hope, and strength. He sought to reaffirm in the dark what had been taught in the light. 

John played a powerful role in the life and ministry of Jesus. His own life was brief, having been cut short by the assassin's blade at the request of Antipas' stepdaughter Salome after a lude performance at his birthday party (with encouragement from Herodias whose opportunity to have John disposed of finally arrived). But oh! the impact he has made for generations upon generations. 

Are you finding yourself screaming at the heavens?

Are you left wondering if Jesus is indeed the One?

John knew...

He understood...

If he were here today I believe he would tell you what he has seen and heard just as the disciples were instructed to do for him. 

He would not let you forget in the dark what you had learned in the light.

‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 

Perhaps that messenger is you! 

In the middle of your pain, in the midst of suffering, when most if not all of life makes no sense whatsoever, Christ is the One! 

Yes...in the midst of all of this...that messenger just may be you!