LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
A Laudatory Testimony
In Matthew 11:1-19, John the Baptist shows a very human trait. Despite being a very strong man, with a very confrontational ministry, here he shows great weakness. He comes to doubt about the messianism of Christ. "Are you the one who was to come, or shall we wait for another?".
This is not a minor weakness, if we consider that John was the one who introduced Jesus to the nation of Israel saying: "This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world", who baptized him and received from heaven itself the confirmation that this was the Son of God.
Now, however, John is in prison, very close to his tragic death. In prison there is nothing consoling or encouraging, only hardship and sorrow. In that place, John's faith weakens, and much of what he has seen, he forgets.
Every child of God knows what this means. After the days of glory, dark and depressing days usually follow. The truths, so clear yesterday, become faded and blurred, as if without relief or content. Then, it is necessary to cling to the old certainties, and in that search we fall into contradictions like Juan's. Will it be or won't it be? Have I been living reality or just dreaming?
If at that moment we were judged with the full rigor of God's law, we would be condemned without appeal. The judge's hammer would fall on us and we would be sent to the dungeons of hell. But does God do this?
Let us see what is the reaction of the Lord Jesus to John's question. He shows John's envoys, with miraculous deeds, the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy about him. He heals the blind, the lame, the lepers, the deaf, raises the dead, and proclaims the gospel to the poor. It is the centuries-old prophecy that is fulfilled before their very eyes! Poor John, a profound connoisseur of the prophets, would thus have conclusive proof of Jesus' messianism.
But, after John's envoys leave, he begins to speak of his faithful doubting servant. He has not a word of recrimination, but of praise. He said that John was more than a prophet, that he was his messenger, the greatest among those born of women, that he was the Elijah announced by the prophets.
The Lord covers John's nakedness before the multitudes, and covers him with a robe of righteousness. He always does this with his followers. He does not see their errors and weaknesses, but the righteousness of God in them, just as Israel was shown to Balaam. Or as the author of Chronicles sees David, without the fault with Bathsheba.
O the power of the blessed blood, which so effectually blots out sins! O the righteousness of God, so ample and perfect! For accusations the enemy suffices; for recriminations men suffice. The Lord puts a robe of righteousness on his beloved, who show no blemish (Ps. 132:16).