The Messiah

“When John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’

Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” [1]

John was imprisoned because he had spoken to King Herod, saying, “It is not lawful for you to have her [Herodias, your brother Phillip’s wife].” Herod wanted to put him to death, but feared his citizens, because they counted him as a prophet. [2]

Perhaps, John was wondering why Jesus did not do something about this situation. Herod committed adultery. Everyone knew it. He was a corrupt leader. Perhaps, John wanted his followers to be assured that Jesus was their Messiah. John had previously told his disciples that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He believed that Jesus was the Messiah. [3]

Jesus told John’s messengers to tell him of the poor people hearing Gospel and of the hurting people being healed. He closed with this remark, “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Ministry to the poor and needy is what the Messiah does.

Jesus went on to speak highly of John. He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist…” [4]

John was right to confront Herod about his adulterous affair. Such a self-indulgent leader was bound to neglect the care of the people entrusted to him.

Then, Jesus addressed the general attitude of His time by saying, “What shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying:

‘We played the flute for you,
And you did not dance;
We mourned to you,
And you did not lament.’

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” [5]

The common complaint was that neither John the Baptist nor Jesus did all that people expected them to do. Jesus said the people were acting like children when they expected their leaders to follow their lead.

“Wisdom is justified by her children.” Wise choices will be realized in due season. Wait for it!

Afterwards, Jesus thanked His Heavenly Father for the revelations that He gives to babes and hides from the so called wise and prudent. Then, He issued an invitation…

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” [6]

The main mission of Christ was to reveal God to people and to ease their heavy burdens. He is gentle and lowly in heart. His work yields rest for the soul.

The difference between Herod and Jesus? Herod lived in a palace and made demands that people serve his self-indulgent interests. Jesus lived amidst hurting people, taught them about God and healed their hurts.

[1] Matthew 11:2-6
[2] Matthew 14:3-5
[3] John 1:29, 31-33
[4] Matthew 11:11
[5] Matthew 11:16-19
[6] Matthew 11:25-30