Are You the One?

John the Baptist was in prison. He had been arrested for publicly condemning Herod Antipas, for having an adulterous affair with his brother’s wife.  Realizing the probability was great that he would soon be put to death, John began to entertain doubts about Jesus.  Although John had baptized Jesus and considered Him the Deliverer of Israel, he wanted reaffirmation before his life ended.  Specifically, he wanted to know if Jesus was the expected Messiah, and he wanted to hear it from the lips of Jesus.  So John sent followers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect another?” Knowing that proven deeds speak louder than words, Jesus didn’t provide a yes or no answer, but said to them, “Go and tell John what you are hearing and seeing—that the blind are having their sight restored, the lame are walking, lepers are being healed, the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised to life, and the good news is being preached to the poor.” At that time, Jesus was traveling through the countryside healing people and performing miracles. 

By his answer, Jesus claimed to be the embodiment of the Old Testament prophesies that characterize the Messiah.  Isaiah 29: 18-19 states: “In that day (of the Messiah), the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.  The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.”  Additionally, Isaiah 35: 5-6 declares that when the Messiah comes, “the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.”  

To launch His public ministry, Jesus went to the synagogue at Nazareth on the Sabbath. When He stood up to read, the book of Isaiah was handed to Him. Jesus opened the scroll to chapter 61 and began to read: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”  Then Jesus sat down, and as all the eyes in the synagogue were fixed on Him, the Master uttered a profound statement that has echoed down through the centuries, “Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”   

Jesus never used persuasive language to impress His identity upon an unbeliever.  Instead, He let the undeniable proofs of His divinity speak truths louder than words.  For example, Jesus invited doubting Thomas to assess the evidence and decide for himself.  “Touch my nail-scared hands and place your hand to my sword-pierced side,” Jesus said.  To doubting John, Jesus stated, “If you doubt who I am, look around you.  Are the lame walking, the blind gaining sight, the deaf hearing, demons being exercised, and the dead being raised to life?” To those who seek a closer walk with the Savior, He says, “Read the scriptures for therein you will find me.”