Sunday 11 Dec 2022

December 11: Matthew 11:2-6

Key Verse: Matthew 11:5
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.

Devotion:
When John the Baptist heard about all the things Jesus was doing, especially the healing, he sent word to ask Jesus if He was indeed the Messiah. John was in prison at this time so could not go to meet with Jesus himself. What Jesus did was reach out to John and ask him to trust his faith...

I don’t think I have seen this side of the story before, but as I was reading through the words in this Gospel, I could not help but see this point of view! John had faith the Messiah was coming and he had been told these things through the Spirit; so much so he went out to baptise people and teach them about repentance and to get people to trust in the Messiah who was to come!

So, being a human like the rest of us, he sent word to find out if Jesus was actually the Messiah – maybe that would have made him feel more complete and that he had accomplished his task in life… I think Jesus would have seen these thoughts in his heart and so, instead of finishing the story there and then, started the true story of faith!

Jesus does not want to have to prove to us in a court of law and through pictures and physical proof that He is the Messiah. He wants us to have faith in our beliefs. He wants to see us grow in our faith and trust in Him rather than having all the physical proof we can get! This is what He was probably trying to get John to do – trust in your beliefs and have faith!

Points to Ponder:
How much do you trust in your beliefs?

Will you rely on your faith a bit more?