“Are you the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3 NASB)
I recently finished a new mystery series on Netflix called Lupin. It’s about a Black Frenchman who is a master of disguise and trickery. He is on a journey to discover the truth about his father and in doing so, he risks everything, including his own life.
As much as I love a good mystery or suspenseful movie, I’m not that good at just waiting and watching things unfold. My shoulders will hunch up around my ears while my heart rate increases and I start to get a tingly feeling in my underarms. I can’t fathom looking away, but I also can’t fathom watching without some idea of how this turns out. And don’t let the music enhance the mystery! I’ll fast forward just so I can make it through the suspenseful parts. I need to know what happens. (I know. Don’t judge me.)
I was recently on a plane and my seatmate was watching Mulan (the non-animated version) on her cell phone. While I was “eaves-watching” (is that a thing?), I had an urge to grab her device and fast forward so I could see how Mulan saves the day. Now, keep in mind- I know how the story ends. Yet, I still needed to know how the movie unfolded for my own personal peace of mind.
You can imagine how well this bodes for me when it comes to waiting on the promises of God. Patience is a fruit of the spirit and one that I am working on ripening and growing. When my impatience rises, I attempt to fast forward ahead of God and make assumptions based on my current view. I lean to my own understanding instead of letting Him direct my path.
I’ve been consciously working on not letting my current view and circumstance dictate how I watch the events of my life unfold. However, that’s easier said than done when all you see is exactly the opposite of what you thought it would be. Even those with great faith have to ask God what’s going on.
John the Baptist did exactly that in Matthew 11:2-3. John’s primary job in life was to lead people to repentance in preparation for the Kingdom of God. John was unfairly placed in prison for proclaiming the truth which is what he did best. He called out King Herod who married his brother’s wife because it was unlawful for him to marry her. While sitting in a prison cell, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the chosen One whom he was paving the way for. He needed to know the truth because his reality consisted of prison walls, a corrupt world, and a Messiah that wasn’t ruling as he had imagined.
Unsure of what awaited him and what the future held, John started to wonder what was going on. He needed some truth since his finite view went against what he knew to be true. Even after baptizing Jesus and witnessing the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on Him, he needed to know more. He needed confirmation. He thought the Son of God and His kingdom on earth would look different. A prison cell and pending death weren’t how he saw the future.
Not sure if this was simply a misery loves company moment for me, but I was glad that John the Baptist, the very man who baptized Jesus, sent an inquiry to understand what was going on. This man of great faith who was destined to lead others to Christ had an “I need to know” moment.
When growing up in church, I observed that it was frowned upon to insinuate doubt or have questions concerning your faith. It was as if in order to have great faith, you could never question your reality or need confirmation. Therefore, many suffered in silence and stewed in doubt.
But I love that Jesus doesn’t ridicule us for asking questions or needing confirmation. He answered John the Baptist’s disciples and there are so many other examples where God answered those who earnestly questioned Him (read about Gideon, Job, and Habakkuk for more evidence).
Jesus proved in His answer to John’s disciples that He understands the need to know. Now, keep in mind, Jesus did not give a simple, “Yes, I am the Chosen One” answer. He did even better. He sent the disciples back to John with proof of what they had heard and seen.
He commanded them to report what they heard because faith comes by hearing the word of God. Jesus is the word of God made flesh. Jesus knew John’s faith needed to be strengthened so He sent the disciples back armed with faith in their words and eyewitness to what He did. He told them to share the miracles He performed and the gospel that was preached to the poor. He equipped them with evidence of faith.
Based on your current circumstance, what are you tempted to fast-forward through right now? What situation has your shoulders up to your ears making you want to skip the suspense and get right to the final act? What looks different than you expected and you find yourself thinking “this is not what I thought”?
Let me caution you to not get ahead of the Lord because you’re tempted to know how it all ends. (Been there, done that, and got the t-shirt.) Instead, ask Him to show you, just as Jesus showed John’s disciples, what you need to know. And once He shows you, let that build your faith and allow you to go deeper in your relationship with Him.
God knows exactly what you’re facing and what views are limiting your truth. But He also knows what the future holds and what you need in order to keep going. I pray He amazes you with His answer and your next steps are ordered by His truth and not your assumptions.
