The belief that Jesus came to fix all of our problems and make our lives here on earth easier is perhaps one of the biggest misunderstandings that people have about Jesus. When we face hard times or our prayers are not answered in the way we want them to be, many of us find ourselves disillusioned and disappointed, wondering why Jesus has not worked in our lives the way we expected. It may even seem as if Jesus is not working at all. The truth is, He is always working even when we do not see it. What we often need during these times is to shift our perspectives from our own wants and desires to the ways that God is working all around us.
When John the Baptist had questions about Jesus and whether He was the Messiah the Israelite people had been waiting for, Jesus pointed him to the ways He had been working all around him. Matthew 11 reveals that at this time, John the Baptist was in prison when he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?" (verse 3). Now, we were reminded in the weekend message that this is an interesting question because John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin who had already professed in John 1:29 that Jesus is "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." It seems that John already knew the answer to his question, yet he sent his disciples to Jesus in Matthew 11 to ask for clarification. Maybe he was asking because he was in prison and wondering if Jesus would do something to help him. Instead of directly answering John's question, Jesus sent John's disciples back with this message, "Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—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" (verses 4-5). In response to John's question, Jesus pointed him to the ways He was working all around him. Although Jesus did not directly answer John's questions, all the miracles He had done pointed to the truth that the answer was "yes": He is the Messiah.
Even if John the Baptist could not physically see how Jesus had been working while he was in prison, Jesus was still working. Of course, the same is true in our own lives. God is working in our lives all around us in large and small ways. The question is, are we paying attention to how He is working? He is moving and working, so let's open our eyes and marvel at how He is at work all around us.
Commit today to begin paying attention and looking for ways that God is working all around you. Look for His handiwork in the small and big moments all around you. As you open your eyes to see how He is working, you will gain peace and confidence, knowing that He is in control and you can trust Him.
1When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.
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 Messiah 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.” 6 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 8 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. 9 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 10 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way before you.’
11 “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! 12 And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. 13 For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. 14 And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. 15 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
16 “To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,
17 ‘We played wedding songs,
and you didn’t dance,
so we played funeral songs,
and you didn’t mourn.’
18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. 21 “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. 22 I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.
23 “And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. 24 I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”
25 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!
27 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
