The same thing happened to John that happens to us when we’re in painful situations: His world shrank to the size of his .
Matthew 11:2–19 (NIV84)
2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus answers John by showing he’s doing Messiah’s ministry.
Matthew 11:2–19 (NIV84) 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
- Isaiah 35:5-6a (NIV) Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
- Isaiah 61:1a (NIV) The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
- Isaiah 26:19 (NIV) But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.
Matthew 11:2–19 (NIV84) 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
(Blessed is anyone who does not fall away on because of something I do.
Or don’t do.)
Matthew 11:2–19 (NIV84) 11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist… 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
Your personal circumstances
do not necessarily coincide
with what God thinks about you.
The proof of what
God thinks of you
is the Cross.
What do you do when God seems inattentive?
- Remember who Jesus really is
- Not only the Messiah
- But the Messiah who died on a Cross for our sins
- There is a blessing if you keep on. Just for keeping on.
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, help me to do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
– BCP 2019, p. 235
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