When we reflect on today’s passage, everything in it seems strange. It is strange that John the Baptist sends to question Jesus when he has already been given a sign from Heaven. It is impossible to imagine that this sign...
When we reflect on today’s passage, everything in it seems strange. It is strange that John the Baptist sends to question Jesus when he has already been given a sign from Heaven. It is impossible to imagine that this sign was not understood and accepted by him, the greatest of the prophets born of women.
Jesus’ reply is not easy to understand either. Why could He not answer directly? He is dealing not with Pharisees eager to catch Him out in His words, but with a man who, as we learn from the other Gospels, is expecting death soon, wholly devoted yet for some reason temporarily bereft of faith.
John needs the Saviour’s support. Yet He says nothing new, only what everyone already knows: ‘The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news preached to them.’ And finally, why does John not come himself, but merely send his disciples? Perhaps this is where the answer lies.
Perhaps the reason is that John is asking more for his disciples’ sake, while his own faith remains strong. And Jesus understands this, which is why He does not give a direct answer. Yet although this answer is indirect, it is utterly complete. We need to learn to see the miracle. This is not easy, but only then will we understand that we need not wait for anyone else: we have our beloved Lord Jesus Christ.
7
7:1 Mat 8:5.
7:3 Hearing of Jesus - Of his miracles, and of his arrival at Capernaum.