Are You The One?

Reading: 1 Samuel 28-29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11 2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 “Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” 4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” (Matthew 11:2-5 NLT) Courageous John had been thrown in prison for faithfully preaching the truth. Now, alone in the dark, he had questions, maybe even some doubts, about whether he had gotten it right. Was it worth it? Was there a chance he had given his all for the wrong cause? Jesus didn’t use his power to free John from the dungeon. Jesus didn’t even send flowers and a “Hope You Get Out Soon” card. Jesus replied, “Tell John that God’s work is being done, the neediest people are being helped, and the truth is still being proclaimed. That’s what matters to John. Tell him that and he’ll know.” Sometimes things don’t work out the way we expected. Sometimes when we see how things are going we can get discouraged and begin to have doubts. Sometimes the questions swirl around in our heads until we get dizzy and panicky. Sometimes we don’t know what to expect next, but we just hope it won’t hurt too much! When I have questions and doubts I can do what John did–ask Jesus. Even if the answer he gives isn’t what I expected to hear, it’s what I need to hear. Prayer: Father, Sometimes when I’m in a dark and difficult situation and can’t see my way through, the questions swirl around in my head and my heart – “Did I miss it? Will I get through this?” Help me to remember to take my questions and doubts to Jesus. Remind me and my friends reading this today that God’s work is being done and that our part is to be obedient, not successful. Amen. 28 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. 29 Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 30 Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)