Matthew 11:1-6: a reflection

1When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?” 4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”

John the Baptist, who had boldly announced Jesus, is now in prison; and there, in his suffering and doubt, he sends to ask Jesus a searching question: Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another? Even John, who had proclaimed Jesus so confidently, now wavers, wondering. And Jesus does not rebuke him for the question; he answers gently, pointing to the evidence of his works: the blind see, the lame walk, the poor hear good news. Then he says, Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.

Notice two things: even John doubted, and Jesus answered his doubt gently. John, the great forerunner, in prison and suffering, wavered, and sent his honest question to Jesus. Doubt came even to him. And Jesus did not rebuke or shame John for his doubt; he answered it gently, pointing to the evidence of his works, giving John ground for faith. He met the honest question with a gracious answer, not a rebuke.

Both are worth taking to heart. First, that even a great believer like John doubted; doubt is not foreign even to strong faith, and can come to any of us, especially in suffering. And second, that Jesus answers doubt gently, not with rebuke, but with grace, giving ground for faith. When doubt comes to you, especially in suffering, do not think it means you are faithless or that Jesus will reject you; even John doubted, and Jesus answered him gently. Bring your honest doubts and questions to Jesus, as John did; he does not rebuke or shame the honest questioner, but answers gently, giving ground for renewed faith. Do not hide your doubts, or think they cut you off from Jesus; bring them to him, who answered even John's doubt with grace, not rebuke. Jesus meets honest doubt gently; bring yours to him, and let him give you, as he gave John, ground for renewed faith, rather than despairing in your doubt or hiding it from the One who answers the honest question with grace.

Lord Jesus, John the Baptist, who had boldly announced you, was now in prison; and there, in his suffering and doubt, he sent to ask, are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another? Even John wavered; and you did not rebuke him, but answered gently, pointing to the evidence of your works, and saying, blessed is the one who takes no offense at me. Show me both: that even John doubted, and that you answered his doubt gently. Doubt came even to John, the great forerunner, in prison and suffering. And you did not rebuke or shame him; you answered gently, giving ground for faith. Help me take both to heart. First, that even a great believer like John doubted; doubt is not foreign even to strong faith, and can come to me, especially in suffering. And second, that you answer doubt gently, not with rebuke, but with grace. When doubt comes to me, especially in suffering, keep me from thinking it means I am faithless or that you will reject me; even John doubted, and you answered him gently. Help me bring my honest doubts and questions to you, as John did; you do not rebuke or shame the honest questioner, but answer gently. Keep me from hiding my doubts, or thinking they cut me off from you; help me bring them to you, Lord, who answered even John's doubt with grace. Meet my honest doubt gently, and give me, as you gave John, ground for renewed faith.