1When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” Matthew 11:1-6

John, the one we call John The Baptist, was not a new believer when he raised the question of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. John was the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus; he pointed to Jesus as the “lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world;” he baptized Jesus and heard the voice from Heaven declare that Jesus was his beloved Son. John’s zeal for God and determination to speak of all people’s need for the righteousness of God landed him in prison when he criticized the lifestyle and choices of the governing ruler.

Yet in the dark and loneliness of prison, John had to grapple with his reasons for faith in Jesus as the Christ. I love what happened next! John made his questions known to Jesus and Jesus answered. “Go and tell John what you hear and see…”

When the events of life challenge our faith that’s the time to activate it by considering again the life, person, character, preaching and activity of Jesus. This is the time to read the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John slowly and persistently. We will see again how He fulfills the promise of God and brings us into His Kingdom. Jesus Himself is our reason for faith.