WHEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE IS OFF

MATTHEW 11:2-6 NKJ 
 2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 
4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”   

John the Baptist was not only a forerunner of Jesus; he was a relative.  He grew up knowing about Jesus and the events that transpired around His birth.  John also knew of his own miraculous birth.  It's easy to see that John, who baptized Jesus, had a great understanding of who Jesus truly was and of his own purpose and calling.  John was a prophet and a strong voice in Israel preparing the way for Jesus.  In John's own words, Jesus was the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.   

But John was in prison.  And Jesus had not intervened to get him out.  And Jesus was doing amazing things, and John was locked up, and John was offended.   

Someone once described being offended as half mad and half hurt.  But offense is one hundred percent not good!   

So in prison, John's perspective was thrown off, and he sends two followers to ask if Jesus really was the Messiah.  But John knew the answer, we see how prison had affected him.   

Jesus doesn't rebuke John or send back a sarcastic reply to their inquiry.  He simply reminds John of what the prophet Isaiah said.  Jesus points John back to the scriptures, the word of God. 

APPLICATION 

We do not know if Jesus was able to lift John’s spirits and his perspective, but we do see how Jesus operates.  Today He still leads us and helps us when our perspective is off.  He does not blast the offended ones; he simply points back to scriptures.   

When I have been disappointed and off in my perspective, the relief came as I looked away from my hurt to what God's word said.  In Proverbs 4:22, the writer said God's words are life to those that find them.  Psalm 119 speaks of God's word being a light.  When our perspective has grown dark, we need some life and light.   

And it's always good to remember that Jesus is not angry and disgusted with us.  He is there, by His Holy Spirit, to guide us back to the right path and the right outlook.  To help us regain the right perspective.   

PRAYER 

Thank You, Father.  You are an ever-present help in times of trouble.  Thank You for helping me align or realign my perspective.