Don't Be Offended

Our reading in the Gospels for yesterday was Matthew 11-13.

John the Baptizer had announced, "Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world." More often than not, I think, prophets prophecy more than they realize or understand. They are a mouthpiece for the Holy Spirit. They obey. They prophesy, but often they do not fully realize what they have just declared.

I believe this is true with John. He knew his cousin, of course. But at Jesus' baptism it was revealed to John that Jesus was the Lamb. John, like all of Israel, was looking for their Messiah: the One who would deliver them from occupation and oppression; who would set up a political Kingdom upon the throne of David; they were looking for another David.

John, now in prison, sends his disciples to inquire of Jesus, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" John is saying, "If you are the real deal, would you please get on with it! I'm in prison and things don't look too good. I need Messiah to come and deliver me from Herod and the Romans!"

Immediately there was an awesome display of Jesus' power: the blind saw; the lame walked; lepers were made whole; the deaf heard; and demons were dismissed. Jesus said, "Go tell John what you have just heard and seen. And by the way, remind him about the poor having the gospel preached to them and that the dead have been raised. And tell him not to be offended." Jesus was the real deal, but John's theology was a bit off. Jesus did not want John to be offended that He was not meeting his expectations.

A lot of offense happens when expectations are not met. And so I say, "blessed is he who is not offended because of me."

PrairieParson
JB