PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 11:1-6
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Go back and report to John what you hear and see.” (Matthew 11:4)
The Jews believed that God would send a Messiah to restore creation.
The Messiah would reverse the curse and restore the kingdom of God.
The effects of sin – sickness, suffering, poverty, injustice – would be made right.
Grace, mercy, peace, faith, hope, love, this is what the Messiah would bring.
John has seen the “deeds of the Messiah”, and yet he is in prison.
As God’s prophet, he had hoped things might be better for him under the Messiah.
Jesus’ response is to direct his attention to what He (Jesus) is doing.
‘Don’t allow your circumstances to blind you to what is happening all around you!’
How many people today can’t see Jesus hope because all they see is their struggle?
Though it’s hard, try not to let your ‘prison walls’ keep you from seeing signs of hope.
The war is not over, suffering continues, but Satan is defeated, victory is coming.
Every testimony of hope, healing, justice and mercy is a sign that the Messiah is at work.
God’s kingdom IS being restored, even if it hasn’t come fully in your own life yet.
Look beyond your own ‘prison walls’, and see Jesus, and the signs of His coming!
PRAYER
Lord, please give extra strength to those who are imprisoned by darkness, that they may look to the light and hang on to You in hope.
See and hear.
Word and deed. Indeed!
That was enough to know that Jesus reigns. He was bringing in the kingdom as John had proclaimed.
Christ Jesus is still at work today restoring His world. Our world belongs to God. Open my eyes Lord that I may see You at work. Help me to see You daily and help me to be Your instrument of peace.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin’ in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy
“in doubt and temptation, I rest Lord in Thee; my hand is in Thy hand, Thou carest for me; my soul with Thy counsel through life Thou wilt guide, and afterward make me in glory abide.” A versification of Ps 73 – I memorized ages ago. There are times when ‘reason’ seems to say otherwise – when my eyes of faith seem to be glazed over – but then, like John the Baptist – I’m reminded again of the life and ministry of Jesus and I seek His presence through His Holy Spirit – because He cares for me! Then I realize the evidence – and am enabled to participate in Kingdom work – even when it seems like there is no progress and things are going nowhere- people being persecuted and Christians killed and force to flee!
Thank you Lord for the assurance that your kingdom will be restored and is being restored. Open my eyes to see and give me wisdom to participate in your kingdom restoration.