Matthew 11 - In Doubt or Faith?
Do we preach with confidence or with vanity? How many dogmatic proclamations do we make when we would do better and more honestly to remain humble? No matter how many times we have been encouraged in out doubt by the example of John, it is actually unclear (even in Greek) whether the doubt was his or his disciples.
Jesus proclaims John the greatest man ever born. This is strange praise indeed for a herald who doubts the message he brings. John's faith is then used in contrast with the doubt seen in the cities in which Jesus had done many of His miracles and even in the context of the sure revelation of God as Father and Son.
Perhaps these seemingly disconnected sections are more related than we know and argue for John's faith in sending his disciples to see Jesus for themselves [to answer their doubts], an image more consistent with Jesus' words and [John's description in] the rest of Scripture.
Therefore, it is possible John lost his faith [as we often hear], but far from certain. We must humbly allow both possibilities.
[Did John send his disciples to Jesus in doubt, or in faith? "Are you the Christ? Or, should we look for another?" Perhaps it all depends on who is asking.]
"11:2-6 Some think that John sent this inquiry for his own satisfaction. Where there is true faith, yet there may be a mixture of unbelief. The remaining unbelief of good men may sometimes, in an hour of temptation; call in question the most important truths. But we hope that John's faith did not fail in this matter, and that he only desired to have it strengthened and confirmed. Others think that John sent his disciples to Christ for their satisfaction. Christ points them to what they heard and saw. Christ's gracious condescensions and compassions to the poor, show that it was he that should bring to the world the tender mercies of our God. Those things which men see and hear, if compared with the Scriptures, direct in what way salvation is to be found. It is difficult to conquer prejudices, and dangerous not to conquer them; but those who believe in Christ, their faith will be found so much the more to praise, and honour, and glory."
Jesus proclaims John the greatest man ever born. This is strange praise indeed for a herald who doubts the message he brings. John's faith is then used in contrast with the doubt seen in the cities in which Jesus had done many of His miracles and even in the context of the sure revelation of God as Father and Son.
Perhaps these seemingly disconnected sections are more related than we know and argue for John's faith in sending his disciples to see Jesus for themselves [to answer their doubts], an image more consistent with Jesus' words and [John's description in] the rest of Scripture.
Therefore, it is possible John lost his faith [as we often hear], but far from certain. We must humbly allow both possibilities.
[Did John send his disciples to Jesus in doubt, or in faith? "Are you the Christ? Or, should we look for another?" Perhaps it all depends on who is asking.]
"11:2-6 Some think that John sent this inquiry for his own satisfaction. Where there is true faith, yet there may be a mixture of unbelief. The remaining unbelief of good men may sometimes, in an hour of temptation; call in question the most important truths. But we hope that John's faith did not fail in this matter, and that he only desired to have it strengthened and confirmed. Others think that John sent his disciples to Christ for their satisfaction. Christ points them to what they heard and saw. Christ's gracious condescensions and compassions to the poor, show that it was he that should bring to the world the tender mercies of our God. Those things which men see and hear, if compared with the Scriptures, direct in what way salvation is to be found. It is difficult to conquer prejudices, and dangerous not to conquer them; but those who believe in Christ, their faith will be found so much the more to praise, and honour, and glory."
- from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.
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