DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Are You the One?
By Beth Voltmann
It is difficult to read this passage and not feel compassion for John the Baptist. Born into a time when Israel had experienced Yahweh’s silence for 400 years, John had a clear prophetic call on his life. He was to “be great in the sight of the Lord”, and to “go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.” (Luke 1:15,17)
For years he had humbled himself, subsisting on a meager diet, living in the wilderness, and calling to the people, “Prepare the way for the Lord!” Why, then, was he suddenly unsettled? Was it doubt or fear? Had he lost hope? Was his cousin really the Messiah? Most of his disciples had left him to follow Jesus. Perhaps isolation stirred up questions.
Aren’t we all like that? We stand firmly on faith until something shakes us. We believe in God yet crave reassurance. The holy call on our life that seems so clear at the start can grow murky as we experience obstacles along the way.
John, born to walk in the footprints of Elijah, now found himself tired and imprisoned. He needed assurance that he had not misplaced his efforts and hope. This man who had once declared of Jesus, “He must become greater; I must become less,” now questioned,
“Are you the one...?” (vs 3)
In compassion, Jesus answered John’s question with confirmation of his Lordship, reminding him of the scriptures that had been fulfilled. Then, he turned to the crowd to give affirmation of John’s prophetic calling...“This is the one about whom it is written...”. (vs 10)
“For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
(Matthew 11:13-15)
We, also, are meant to point others to Christ, in our place and time. We may occasionally falter, but Jesus, the true Messiah, desires to confirm his reign and affirm our purpose and calling.
These are the ones I look on with favor:
Those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word.”
(Isaiah 66:2b)
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for your heart of compassion towards us. Like John, we sometimes need reassurance. Please help us to have ears to hear the truth of your Word and to believe that you are the One who was sent to save us. We long for our lives to reflect that faith, knowing that we are the ones called in this season. May we continue to proclaim the kingdom of God!
Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BETH VOLTMANN
After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.
Powerful message Beth. I never thought about John "losing" his disciples to Jesus. How frightening that might have been.