John and Jesus | Matthew 11:1-19

11 Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.

Messengers from John the Baptist

² When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples ³ and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” ⁴ Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. ⁶ And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

Jesus Praises John the Baptist

⁷ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. ⁹ What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,    who will prepare your way before you.’

¹¹ “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and violent people take it by force. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came, ¹⁴ and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. ¹⁵ Let anyone with ears listen!

¹⁶ “But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,

¹⁷ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;    we wailed, and you did not mourn.’

¹⁸ “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; ¹⁹ the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

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Sure, John likely heard about his cousin’s miraculous birth (John and Jesus were cousins) from his mother Elizabeth.  And he experienced the divine moment of God’s blessing at Jesus baptism.  But right now, imprisoned by an oppressive regime and facing execution, it seems quite reasonable to ask if Jesus is in fact the One they were waiting for or if they should keep looking?    

The promise of restoration and resurrection seems far off.  There are too many broken dreams and unfulfilled promises.  Too many injustices and uncertainties.  I get it John.  Some days it’s harder to believe than others.  

And so, the very human John doubts.  

Doubt is not the opposite of faith, but its growing pains. It presupposes the possibility of the existence of belief. Doubt is not only part of faith, but is essential to faith's growth and grounded-ness. When we don't make room for doubt in our lives it can become insidious and harmful, breeding guilt and choking away the possibility of a joyful faith. And when we experience doubt without acknowledging that it is a part of faith, it can cut off faith at the roots before we've even begun to give it room to grow.

So how do we live in faith in the midst of our doubts?

1. Don't be afraid. We have a God who has walked your path. Who knows how hard it is to believe. When doubt comes, acknowledge it. Greet it. Accept that it is there and let it be part of your faith journey. Don't be afraid. God is with you.

2. Know you are not alone. I will never forget sitting in church during a time of deep doubt. It was time for the Lord's Prayer and I found myself floundering through it – until the words stuck in my throat. And in that moment, I heard my siblings’ words swelling around me, lifting me up, carrying me through. As the Body of Christ, we walk with one another, we believe with one another – and in my doubts, they believed for me, their faith carried me. You are not alone.

3. Take it God. Don't hold it in. God is not going to be mad. It's not a sin. Have the conversation. Keep the relationship open – and then keep your heart open for where God will lead. 

4. Serve. In the midst of doubt, do good. Live your faith by serving God's people. It changes your perspective. It changes you. And remember, no matter where you are in the scale of faith and doubt, the good you do in God's name never ceases to be good and to make a difference in this world.

Prayer

Jesus, the world is broken.  Our hearts are hurting.  We don’t always know what to believe or where to turn.  You know better than anyone what it is to stand face to face with the hardness of this life.  And yet, you never gave up on love.  You never gave up on us.  Give us the courage to cling to that love with both hands.  In times of deep doubt, move us forward into new revelations of faith.  And give us the words and presence to be reminded, and to remind others, that we are not alone.  In your name we pray.  Amen

Pastor Danielle Miller (she/her/ella) 

New York, NY 

Current Pinecrest Director (Previously Faculty & Assistant Director)

2009 - Present