Inquisitive Minds

Inquisitive minds always want to know details, proofs, and evidence. One of our friends’ sons broke open any gift anyone gave him to study how it was made or operated. Now, he works for NASA. Although we tend to get upset when someone questions us, we shouldn’t. We should think of that person challenging us to give him or her proof and try to provide evidence as much as possible. (I am not talking about “critical minds” that question just to be argumentative.)

John, the baptizer, was an inquisitive person. His disciples told him everything Jesus was doing (Luke 7:18a). John wanted proof.

“Calling two of his disciples, John sent them to Jesus, asking, ‘Are you the one coming or should we wait for another?’” (7:18b–19)

Those disciples approached Jesus and repeated John’s words verbatim!

“John, the baptizer, sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one to come or should we wait for another?’” (7:20)

Jesus decided to “show and tell.”

“He healed many people of their diseases, torments, and evil spirits. He gave grace to many blind people so they may see. Then he said to them, ‘Go and report to John whatever you saw and heard: The blind people receive back their sights, the handicapped walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor receive good news [of food and liberty]. Anyone who doesn’t stumble over me is blessed with what s/he wanted.’” (7:21–23)

John wanted to know if Jesus was Israel’s deliverer or if he should wait for someone else. Jesus demonstrated that he was Israel’s deliverer. His rule wasn’t against Rome or Gentile rulers. He conquered enemies that harmed his people – diseases, torments, evil spirits, blindness, deafness, physical inabilities, leprosy, poverty, and death. He provided relief to anyone who accepted him and sought his help for their problem. If they rejected his offer, however, he didn’t deliver them.

Often, we, too, wonder if Jesus is real. We don’t seem to see the miracles people around Jesus saw regularly. Like John, we might be tempted to ask, “Are you the one coming, or should we wait for another?”

It’s okay that we ask that question. The Spirit, we are told in the Scriptures, confirms to our spirit the truth – that Jesus was and is the true redeemer. We might not get our prayers answered how we want them answered. But that’s fine, too. The redeemer knows what we need much more than we do. So, we patiently wait, continue to pray, and anticipate deliverance.