Disappointment can certainly cause us to look at things improperly. Our default response can become gloomy and our expectation and hope for things to change can be diminished by adversity that robs our gift of peace. Yet, in the midst of great disappointment, we find Jesus ready to bring the miraculous to pass. Our Lord is not troubled by a lack of faith and he can clearly see what needs to be accomplished in the “whole” picture.
In our passage today, John the baptist is disappointed with the way things have been going. He has been imprisoned and things look drear. John has been looking for the Messiah to usher in the Kingdom of God and it still looks like the Romans and corrupt Jews are in charge. Nothing has changed; an abuse of power is still going on and injustice and oppression are on the rise.
The prophet sends two of his disciples to bring him an update on Jesus, because he cannot go. Obviously, John is blinded by disappointment and it is ironic, because Jesus has been going from place to place opening the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf, as well as many other miracles.
Disappointment can stop us, too, when we yield to thinking God must work in the way that makes sense to us. When we stare at the status quo and nothing seems to change, our minds take on a life of their own. Sometimes the truth and reality of God’s best work can be in front of our eyes and we miss it. In those times, we need the tender witness of those who can see what we cannot.
Luke 7:18-30 NLT Jesus and John the Baptist
18 The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, 19 and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
20 John’s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’”
21 At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. 22 Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 23 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
24 After John’s disciples left, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 25 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces. 26 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 27 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way before you.’
28 I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!”
29 When they heard this, all the people—even the tax collectors—agreed that God’s way was right, for they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism.
Prayer: Lord, thank you sending witnesses to encourage us when we cannot see the evidence of change ourselves. In those times, you may be changing our hearts before you bring the change we desire to see around us. Help us to hang onto our expectations of your goodness and remain in peace. As well, give us a keen awareness of when others may need us to come with a message of hope with the good things we see you doing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.