Question description

In Luke 7:19, John the Baptist's disciples asked Jesus if He was the Messiah. Instead of giving a direct answer, Jesus instructed them to report back the miracles they had witnessed. Why did Jesus choose to respond this way rather than simply affirming His identity? Additionally, after this seemingly indirect response, Jesus praised John the Baptist highly, but only after his disciples had left. What might be the significance of this approach, and what can we learn from the way Jesus handled both the question and the subsequent praise?

Answer description

We need to begin with the background for this incident. John has been imprisoned by Herod for a year and a half at this point. He has faithfully preached of the coming of God's kingdom and it was his thinking that Jesus would be the one who would make this happen. John knows that part of that promise is that the Messiah would proclaim the release of the captives and let the oppressed go free. But that has not happened for him. So John is discouraged. He has spent his entire life free in the wilderness but has been in a cage for many months. Thus doubts crept in. He cannot go to Jesus, so he sends two disciples. These men are tasked with asking Jesus if He is really the Messiah. They ask, "Are you the one we were expecting ?" (v 19) But what they, and John, are thinking is, if you are, why isn't something happening? All they want is a one-word answer, yes or no. But Jesus does not give them that.

As we read this passage we find that these two men arrived at a time of many miracles. Of course, all this was designed by God. It gave Jesus the backdrop for how He did reply to them. So instead of answering them directly, He gives them promises from Scripture (Isaiah 26:19)(Isaiah 29:18)(Isaiah 35:5)(Isaiah 6:11). What they have seen (the miracles) testify that Jesus is the fulfillment of all these promises. This is the assurance that they can take back to John. Clearly, this approach is not the direct answer we would hope for or expect. But rarely does God ever work things out the way we imagine. His way is always superior. As the men left, Jesus praises John,(v 24-28) despite his doubting. He declares that John is not merely a prophet but he was God's final prophet pointing toward the Messiah and was given the privilege of introducing Him at His baptism. (Matthew 3:13-17)

There are a couple of lessons that I think we can take from this passage. It is easy to think badly of John for doubting Jesus was the Messiah. But at this time in Jesus' ministry, even His disciples did not grasp His full identity. And which of us has not had a discouraging time in our lives when we began to doubt God's promises? So the lesson is to cling to Scripture. God used it to assure John and He will do the same for us. And the second bit to glean from this story is to never overlook miracles. A miracle might not seem like a miracle when our minds are occupied with cares or problems. But if we look more closely there are amazing acts of God all around us. John's disciples, in their worry, did not see the wonder of Jesus' actions. Are you doing the same?

God Bless you.

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