Messengers from John
TRANSLATION
(1) When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. (2) Now when John heard in prison about the work Christ was doing, he sent word by his disciples (3) who said to him, “Are you the one who is to come or should we look for someone else?” (4) And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see. (5) The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. (6) And blessed is the one who does not stumble because of me.”
(7) And as they went on their way, Jesus began to speak to the crowds regarding John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see, a reed shaken by the wind? (8) What then did you go out to see, a man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who wear soft garments live in kings’ houses. (9) What then did you go out to see, a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. (10) This is the one of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ (11) Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet, the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (12) From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. (13) For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John, (14) and, if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who was to come. (15) The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
OBSERVATIONS
This passage focused on the frustration and confusion John the Baptist experienced while languishing in Herod’s prison. First, we encounter the issue John raised with Jesus through his own disciples questioning his messianic identity and ministry. Then we consider Jesus’ response to John’s inquiry. The words repeated most frequently were “John” four times (vss. 2, 4, 7, & 13) and “John the Baptist” twice (vss. 11 & 12). Other repetitions included “hear” four times (vss. 4, 5, & 15), the phrase, “what did you go out to see,” three times (vss. 7, 8, & 9), “soft garments” (twice in vs. 8), “prophet(s)” three times (vss. 11 & 13), and “violence/violent” (both in vs. 12).
OUTLINE
I. John wondered why Jesus still had freedom to minister while he was unjustly imprisoned. (1)
II. John inquired about this through his disciples, and Jesus responded. (2-6)
III. Jesus addressed his followers regarding the significance of John and his ministry. (7-13)
IDEA STATEMENT
Questioned by the disciples of John the Baptist regarding his messianic identity, Jesus pointed to the works God was doing through him and praised John’s ministry as the forerunner.
APPLICATION
John’s decision to send his disciples to determine the validity of Jesus’ messianic claims has raised questions for many. How could the one who had pointed his followers to Jesus with the words, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn. 1:29), express such doubts regarding the nature of his ministry? While we may never grasp all that had been going on in John’s mind while he was imprisoned, we can certainly understand how confused he must have felt when his ministry had been so cruelly interrupted and his life threatened by someone as godless as Herod.
Jesus responded to John’s doubts not with a rebuke nor by verbally claiming to be the Messiah. Rather he pointed to the miraculous works he had been doing and praised John’s ministry as the forerunner in preparing the way for his own ministry. Jesus knew that John’s life would soon be snuffed out and that he would soon experience a similar fate on a cross. No one, not even John, could grasp that, through the killing of the Messiah, Satan would finally be defeated and eternal life be made available to all who believe. Jesus articulated this in his statement recorded in John’s Gospel: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life will lose it and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (Jn. 12:24-26). That was precisely what John accomplished by his martyrdom, serving the one who had come to offer his life as a ransom for many by his sacrificial death.