Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Matthew 11:1-15

In John 1, John the Baptist had pointed at Jesus and declared with supernatural confidence,”Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” But now, languishing in prison for his bold witness against Herod, doubts began to creep in. Sending messengers to Jesus, he expressed his confusion.

Of all the messages Jesus could have sent back to John, He chose to send a message of encouragement, telling John of the miraculous signs that confirmed His identity as the Messiah. The message closed with a gentle exhortation not to become offended when the Lord does not do things the way we want or expect of Him. Even that exhortation, though, was couched in words of blessing.

When John’s messengers left, instead of using John’s struggle as a teaching moment about doubt and faith, Jesus turned to His disciples and honoured John:

“¹¹ I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist… ¹⁴ And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come.”

Jesus used His words to encourage John via a message, and to honour him to others in his absence. We would do well to remember the power of our words too, and to use them only to build others up – whether in their presence or their absence; whether speaking to them or to others about them.

Lord Jesus, please bless my mouth to be an instrument of Your life-giving encouragement and honour today. Amen.