Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.
Matthew 4:5This is how Jesus answered John the Baptist when John was wrestling with the idea that Jesus might not be the Messiah after all. He asked Jesus a question that sought only a simple "yes" or "no". But Jesus answered John with something much more: an answer that spoke to the struggle of his soul. John likely had been in prison during most (if not all) of His teachings, His demonstrations of authority and His confounding the Javert's of the world. From prison, nothing was available to him to bolster the faith he had declared at Jesus' baptism - his recognition of the Messiah.
Isn't this how it is us who have put out lives into Christ's hands? We don't have the opportunity to behold Him face to face. Most of us don't see His miracles on a daily basis. It's the status quo for angels, but not for the mortal believer. That's where faith comes in; indeed faith wouldn't be faith if we had the daily experience that angels were privy to.
But Jesus is also reaching out to John with an understanding heart, saying "I know it's hard to believe right now. I will not apologize for it, but if you stay strong to the other side, you will be blessed." He reiterates this to Thomas after His resurrection, saying "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)
Our faith is expensive because He is the priceless prize.
photo © Jim White 2018
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