March 15, 2015 · Matthew 11:1–6

Doubt And Disappointment

After Jesus had finished instructing the 12 disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one to come? Or should we expect someone else?"

“He's just simply restating, recontextualizing the reports that John already knows. He's asking John — look again. Jesus might not directly answer your frustrations. He might call us to look again. And then he gives this strange blessing-warning combination. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. The word is scandalizo. Blessed is anyone who is not scandalized because of me. Blessed is anyone who doesn't turn their back on the Messiah because he's not meeting their expectations. What I love about this line is that this is powerful, like, blessing-judgment combo punch. Do you hear it in there? John wants judgment. And Jesus is bringing blessing. So Jesus blesses him with a possible hint of judgment. Blessed is the one who doesn't get judged for judging me wrong over judgment. There's just this little tinge to this line. I think John would have loved — you to be like, oh, it's a blessing. All right. Well, there's just — Jesus is still doing this thing. He's still blessing. Well, there's just this judgment lurking in that sentence. I think John would have appreciated. Jesus will be the judge. It's just not time. Right now, everyone needs mercy, even doubting John. It makes you wonder a little bit about Jesus in the situation. How is he feeling? How much did this doubt from his biggest, his most important supporter hurt him? How much did this message from John sting him? And was he worried? The people that heard it must have been asking Jesus, like — did you hear John? Oh, what are you going to do about it? Jesus is amazing. He lets the people know that he doesn't question John's questioning.”