When John the Baptist was imprisoned, he sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask Him an important question. The question was, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3).
Why did John send two of his disciples to Jesus?
Some scholars believe that John sent his disciples to Jesus because he was unsure if Jesus was truly the Messiah. However, this is unlikely as John had already identified Jesus as the Messiah when he baptized Him and heard the voice from heaven saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17).
Another possibility is that John wanted his disciples to see for themselves that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. By seeing and hearing Jesus firsthand, they would be able to confirm their faith in Him. This would have been especially important as John’s ministry was coming to an end and he wanted to ensure that his followers had a solid foundation for their faith.
However, it’s most likely that John sent his disciples to Jesus simply because he wanted them to hear from Him directly. As a prophet himself, John recognized that Jesus had a greater authority and message than he did. By sending his disciples to Jesus, John was acknowledging Jesus’ superiority and urging them to follow Him instead.
What can we learn from this?
John’s actions demonstrate a humility and selflessness that we can all strive for in our own lives. Instead of clinging onto his own authority and influence, he recognized that there was someone greater than himself and encouraged others to follow Him.
This also reminds us of the importance of seeking out truth for ourselves. While it’s valuable to learn from others and listen to their teachings, ultimately we must come face-to-face with truth on our own. By seeking out Jesus directly like John’s disciples did, we can confirm our faith and deepen our relationship with Him.
- 1. We should be willing to acknowledge the authority of others and point people towards them when appropriate.
- 2.
We need to seek out truth for ourselves and not rely solely on the opinions of others.
- 3. By hearing from Jesus firsthand, we can confirm our faith and deepen our relationship with Him.
The significance of John’s question
It’s important to note that John’s question to Jesus was not a sign of doubt or unbelief. Rather, he was seeking clarification on Jesus’ identity and mission. In fact, Jesus praised John as a prophet and said that no one born of a woman was greater than him (Matthew 11:11).
John’s question also highlights the tension between what the Jewish people expected from the Messiah and what Jesus came to do. The Jews were looking for a political savior who would overthrow their oppressors and establish a new kingdom on earth. However, Jesus came to bring salvation through spiritual transformation and establish His kingdom in the hearts of believers.
In conclusion
John’s decision to send his disciples to Jesus was an act of humility and faith. He recognized that there was someone greater than himself and wanted his followers to hear from Him directly. By seeking out truth for ourselves like John’s disciples did, we can confirm our faith in Jesus and deepen our relationship with Him.