What Are You Hearing And Seeing?

John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.” [Matthew 11.2-6] 

What have we heard and seen? It matters.

The Gospels tell a story like no other ever told about a man like no other who ever lived. What we hear and see of Jesus Christ matters. It is important to know Jesus' story.

But, as we see so prevalently today, many hear the story of Jesus and see the effects of His power with no change in their lives. Why?

Idolatry.

Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 115.4-8]

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have  mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 135.15-18] 

What do we know about those who trust in idols? Among other things, we know they have ears but cannot hear and eyes but cannot see. If we are trusting in idols, Jesus' teachings and power mean nothing to us and have no effect upon our lives. Oh we might get teary-eyed and emotional, but there will be no change - there will be no power - no miracles - because our lives are effectively blocked from Jesus by our idols.

Now, ready for this? 

John the Baptist was in prison. Things hadn't gone so well for him in following Jesus. In fact, he was in a dire situation. It would appear John was questioning whether or not his faith was well-placed - John must have been experiencing some doubt. Times were tough even though John had done nothing wrong...

Jesus' response to John is the same response He offers us when we have doubts, "Pay attention to what you have heard and seen of Me." In other words, don't lose focus on Jesus when your back is against the wall. Every difficult situation provides opportunity for a believer in Jesus to either hold in faith to what they have heard and seen, or listen and look to idols. Sadly, most today take their ears and eyes off Jesus and listen and look to idols. Hint: look at debt, insurance, medicine and technology.

It is quite possible that John could have renounced his faith in prison and been set free. Perhaps he had even been given that choice? That could actually explain why he sent men to ask if Jesus was the real deal - if Jesus was actually the Messiah or not. And John received great assurance from Jesus that his faith was indeed well-placed. John eventually died for, and in, that conviction. John placed himself in the Hebrews 11 "Hall of Faith":

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. [Hebrews 11.35b]

Listening and looking to Jesus - even in the most difficult situations - is placing our hope in a better life after the resurrection. BUT! We will never know that better life after the resurrection if we take our ears and eyes off Jesus and instead listen and look to idols. 

God's blessing is on those who, in the midst of difficulties, remain focused on Jesus - “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”

Father in my own present difficulties, I want to remain focused on Jesus. I want to hold fast to my profession of faith in Him and in Him alone for salvation, healing, and deliverance. May I listen and look to Him as Your Word ONLY and reject the idols that promise relief but damn my soul to hell. So be it.