When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 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. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Matthew 11:2-6)
John questioning Jesus about his Messianic credentials is startling. It was John, not long ago, proclaimed to the world about Jesus being the Savior in John 1:29-34 "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
By comparing the two incidents its clear that John isn't himself ever since he was sent to prison. A prison can do a lot of bad things to the prisoner's mind. John who has seen Jesus performing all kinds of wonder would have expected Jesus to get him out of prison. Such a thought would have crossed his mind because of the situation he found himself in. When you're locked up within four walls knowing there is no way out you become a desperate man. We see, even in Joseph's life, he was desperate to get out of prison, requesting the cup bearer to put in a good word for him to Pharaoh and get him released. But that wasn't what GOD had planned. If Joseph had come out then, he wouldn't have been exalted to greater heights in Egypt. When we are locked up in a prison of debt, sickness, failure etc. and we don't see a way out, it's important we don't lose sight of GOD and start to doubt His credentials.
John was beginning to lose sight of GOD as the prison life was taking its toll on him. Jesus, who loved John just as much as He loves us, wouldn't want him to be caught up in a state of hopelessness. Jesus told the disciples of John to remind his master of the miracles and the goodness of GOD that is being displayed through Him. Are you locked up in a prison of some kind? Jesus wants you to focus on GOD's goodness that has happened to you in the past and that's happening to those around you. It's not going to be too long, before His goodness floods your life and you will be out of your prison in no time! Just trust Him. Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. (Zechariah: 9:12)
Blessings!
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