When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Matthew 11:2-6


2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Today’s title is “Should we expect someone else?”


Have you ever been disappointed at someone you dearly loved before? The answer will be loud yes. We all experience countless disappointments at people we loved and adored. Throughout the history of Israel, Israelites have longed for the Messiah. Occasionally a man appeared who was refuted to fit to the profile of Messiah. People got excited and followed him in great expectation. But most of the time they become disappointed. Finally, the Son of God came at the appointed time. This time, it was the real Messiah. John the Baptist knew it more than anybody else. He was the one who prepared the way for the Lord. He led people to the Lord saying “ Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” He baptized the Lord and heard the voice of God from heaven that said “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.” So we all are puzzled when John the Baptist who was in prison asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” What is he saying? Has something gone wrong between him and the Lord? Did Jesus disappoint John the Baptist in some ways? It doesn’t seem so. Jesus wasn’t changed a bit since He was baptized by John. He has been working exactly as the prophets had prophesied. Isaiah prophesied what will happen when the Messiah comes. He said “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert (Isaiah 35:5-6)”. Jesus simply said to the disciples of John the Baptist, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:”. There was nothing disappointing about Jesus. Instead, we get a bit disappointed at John the Baptist. After all the works of preparations for the Lord, and after all the convincing testimonies, why did he ask such a question? We would never know what was on John’s mind. In fact, Jesus never rebuked John the Baptist for asking such a question. He in fact reaffirmed the role of John the Baptist for the kingdom of God. He took compassion on the suffering that John was going through. But Jesus proclaims that the era of disappointment and disbelief is now over. Now is the time to see and believe. I believe John the Baptist was ultimately relieved at Jesus’ answer. Jesus was indeed what he thought He was. I personally share John’s final conviction. Jesus wasn’t disappointing at all in my whole life. How about you? Do you ever expect someone other than Jesus? You don’t need to. Just see what He is doing in your life. He is surely your Lord and Messiah! Amen!