What Are You Looking For?

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see” A man dressed in fine clothes?... Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?”
Matthew 11:7-9a (NIV)

Sometimes I think Jesus must have had a great sense of humor. The above passage comes off as a series of rapid fire questions, where I can imagine Him holding up a finger as an indication no one should say anything in response.

Perhaps we should back up a bit and come in at the beginning of this episode in the ministry of Jesus. John’s disciples had turned up with another question for Jesus. This time they wanted to know if Jesus was the Messiah or should they be watching for someone else? This seems an odd question to me because it seems like John and the Holy Spirit clearly identified Jesus when Jesus got baptized – but I digress. Jesus could have said, “Yes, yes I AM He.” But He didn’t instead he told them to go back to John and tell him all that they had witnessed – see Matthew 11:1-6 for everything Jesus said. As John’s crew is leaving, Jesus starts asking the crowd around Him these questions and not giving anyone a chance to answer.

Three, what did you go to see questions. The first one answered with another question – “A reed swayed by the wind?” Not a reed, what then? The second also answered with a question – “A man dressed in fine clothes?” Of course not, well-dressed people are found in palaces and fancy houses, so what then? A prophet, were you looking for a prophet? Then Jesus is like a “Yes” that’s it and “I tell you more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it was written: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way for you.” Jesus says a lot more about John – but we’ll leave that for some other time.

So now I have some questions for you. What are you looking for… in your wilderness, on the mountain top, when you go to church, when you read the Bible, when you pray?

Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – Seek HIM and you will find all you need.