Matthew 11:1-6; 1 Peter 1:10-12, Was Jesus the Coming One?

When you think about the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish nation you probably are thinking about the crucifixion and perhaps the week leading up to the cross.  The cross is certainly the crux of the issue, the focal point of eternity in terms of receiving or rejecting Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. 

But the rejection was set in stone earlier than that.  Matthew, in his thematic approach to the life of Christ, really highlights this.  Jesus’ warning about the unpardonable sin in Matt. 12 tells us He knows that the shepherds of Israel, the religious leaders we often call them, are in the process of hardening their hearts against Him.  In Matthews account, immediately after this are recorded the parables of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 13:1-52).  Then Matthew recounts the rejection at Nazareth (13:53-58) and the beheading of John the Baptist (14:1-12). A couple of “Sabbath controversies” (12:1-14) provide real life situations where Jesus is intentionally in the face of the leaders.  The conclusion to these events is, the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him (12:14).

John Phillips gives the following titles to our upcoming chapters: 11:1-30: Resistance Felt; 12:1-14:36: Resistance Focused; 15:1-16:12: Resistance Faced.

Almost certainly this burgeoning resistance is a critical backdrop to the question of John the Baptist, Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?  There are two basic ways people tend to understand this passage (11:1-6).  

·        Some would say that John certainly knew that Jesus was the “Coming One” and was just using this as a training experience for his own disciples.  After all, John had referred to himself as the one who was preparing the way of the Lord.  He had exalted Jesus.  He had heard the voice of the Father at the baptism, This is My beloved Son.  Of course John knows.  He must.

·        But there is another way to see this, a view that is very Biblical.  It is very reasonable to think that John was having some doubts.  The assumption is that when the Messiah came He would ascend to the place of honor and glory, to the throne of David.  To say it in an important Biblical way, John is a prophet before the cross and resurrection.  He is among those prophets who inquired and searched carefully … searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which have now been reported … things which angels desire to look into (1 Peter 1:10-12).  John was one who obtained a good testimony through faith but did not receive the promise (Heb. 11:39-40).  He is surprised and perplexed by what is happening.  This view is supported by Jesus’ warning, blessed is he who is not offended because of Me (Mt. 11:6).

What we can say about John is that he asked the right question.  He asked the question that every person must ask about Jesus.  The Coming One is the one promised in Gen. 3:15 and all throughout the OT (as Peter said, the prophets spoke of the grace that would come to you (1 Pt. 1:10).  John wants to be certain: is Jesus that One or are we still waiting for another one.  Have you considered this question?