Proof for Jesus Christ

It's not what we think. Or even what we our minds might prefer.

Is it really you, Jesus?

John the Baptist’s question is a fair one. It’s one we may have found ourselves asking in moments of disappointment, grief, or difficulty. If you really who you say you are, Jesus, why do I find myself in this situation?

Jesus’ response must be seen. He does not set out to prove himself by words or theological arguments. He certainly doesn’t use brute force to get his point across. Rather, he asks John to consider what are the results of his presence and influence.

Those who were broken, despondent, or had reason to be set aside are no longer so.

Think about that! This is the proof of Jesus.

He says the same thing in different terms to end our passage today.

Wisdom is proved to be right…by her works.

Matthew 11:1-19

When Jesus finished teaching his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Now when John heard in prison about the things the Christ was doing, he sent word by his disciples to Jesus, asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

Jesus responded, “Go, report to John what you hear and see. Those who were blind are able to see. Those who were crippled are walking. People with skin diseases are cleansed. Those who were deaf now hear. Those who were dead are raised up. The poor have good news proclaimed to them. Happy are those who don’t stumble and fall because of me.”

When John’s disciples had gone, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John: “What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A stalk blowing in the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in refined clothes? Look, those who wear refined clothes are in royal palaces. What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. He is the one of whom it is written: Look, I’m sending my messenger before you, who will prepare your way before you.

“I assure you that no one who has ever been born is greater than John the Baptist. Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is violently attacked as violent people seize it. All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came. If you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let the person who has ears, hear.

“To what will I compare this generation? It is like a child sitting in the marketplaces calling out to others, ‘We played the flute for you and you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song and you didn’t mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ Yet the Human One came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved to be right by her works.”

Prayer¹

God,

As we go, give us grace for this moment.

None of us is under the illusion that everything is perfect in all of this. And we don’t want to live under illusion anyway, Lord. We want to live under the power of your spirit and the love of Christ. Despite the difficult circumstances of Chris’ life that we need not name, but altogether know and acknowledge, we choose to leave today and live tomorrow by the undaunted faith and optimism that he so often spoke without abandon.

He called you Poppa not simply because of the poetic alliteration, though he very much loved such pleasure, but he intimately called you Poppa because it was so desperately needed. Many of us have never known such abandonment and need. But some of us have. So God, help us all realize the same desperation. That is, give us the same faith-filled eyes that Chris had. And help us to consummate such faith with appropriate action. 

Go with each one here as well as those who could not be, for whatever reason. Continue to meet us in the individual context of our lives. And empower us together to do your will. 

By your spirit and in Christ,
Amen. 

1. Today I will be praying the closing prayer at a memorial service for a friend. I thought I’d share a portion of that prayer for today’s prayer.