Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.” (Matthew 11:7–9, NIV 1984).
My Musings – This was after Jesus replied to the question John had asked through his disciples, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3, NIV 1984). John was in jail and was questioning his earlier proclamation, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29, NIV 1984).
Perhaps you are among those who question, perhaps even deny, that Christ is the one. If so, you should ask yourself a similar question about Jesus that Jesus asked the crowds about John. What more would you expect to see from someone claiming to be God in the flesh? More than, “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?” (Matthew 11:5, NIV 1984). How about, “what kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:27, NIV 1984). Then there is the forgiveness of sins. “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Luke 5:21, NIV 1984). Exactly the point!
But those sins had to paid for. The price? Death. If not the one forgiven of those sins, then who? That’s right, for who can pay the price but God alone? “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Once again, what more would you expect to see from someone claiming to be God in the flesh? How about after paying the death penalty rising from the dead? “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” (Mathew 28:5–6, NIV 1984).
My Advice – What more would you expect to see from someone claiming to be God in the flesh? Nothing. Jesus did not answer John’s disciples directly. He presented the evidence. The verdict was up to John, just as it is up to you. “A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.” God in the flesh. But if you don’t believe the evidence, there is nothing more “to go out to see.“
The Brew Is A Musing 