Can We Be Sure Who Jesus Is?
Scripture Reading — Matthew 11:1-6
John … sent his disciples to ask [Jesus], “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
—Matthew 11:2-3
John the Baptist had trusted that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ of God. He had said it more than once: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2). He had pointed to his Lord by saying, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). And on the day he had baptized the Lord, he had heard the voice of God saying to Jesus, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well-pleased” (Mark 1:11).
But now John was in prison. King Herod seemed to have more power than King Jesus. The Lamb of God had done nothing to protect him from Herod’s clutches. And John began to wonder, “Is Jesus really who he says he is?” So John sent his disciples to ask Jesus.
Jesus answered by saying that the signs of his lordship were clear: “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” These were clear signs that the kingdom of heaven had come, and they pointed toward the day when that kingdom will come in all its full-ness.
In case you are not sure about who Jesus is, turn to the gospels and be convinced that Jesus is the Christ, the resurrected Son of the living God.
Father in heaven, give us the grace to believe that Jesus has come and has ushered in the kingdom, and help us to look forward to the day when your kingdom will fully come. Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!