Doubting Advent--Second Essay--Matt. 11:2-11

But before I look at the word "scandalize" or "cause to stumble," let's examine Jesus' response to John in 11:4-5. Note that he answers John with reference to a combination of deeds and words. Jesus will "speak" more than deeds and "do" more than words. Note also that when Jesus answers John he does so in the precise language of Scripture, from Is. 29:18, 35:5f and 42:18. Note further that the last two words of v. 5 are not from the Old Testament messianic Scripture but are from Matthew's own Gospel--the poor are evangelized. This is a direct reference to Matt. 5:3. So, what Jesus is saying in response to John is that not only are the aspirations of Israel fulfilled in him, but that there is a direct connection between the deeds of Isaiah and the words of Matt 5. Jesus is a words and deeds "Coming One." And the deeds, which John focused on in his question, are different from the deeds that John imagined.

Then, let's note that little word "blessed" in v. 6. This word is significant because it is the same word that Jesus repeatedly uses in the Beatitutes of Matt. 5. Thus, we have a new Beatitude, a Beatitude out of place in Matt. 11. It is as if John's question, a doubting question, brings forth another Beatitude. Maybe doubt isn't such a bad thing...

But the passage culminates in Jesus words in v. 6. "Blessed is the one who isn't scandalized at me." Or, "Blessed is the one who doesn't stumble over me." In almost every instance where Matthew uses that Greek verb, a lack of faith is in view. This point is significant enough to give a few examples.

"If your right eye causes you to sin (i.e., "scandalizes" you or "makes you stumble"), tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell," Matt. 5:29.

"As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away ("stumbles"), Matt 13:20-21.

"If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling-block comes! ‘If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away," Matt 18:6-8.

Other examples may be cited from Matthew. I should note however, that some uses of the same verb, skandalizomai, don't seem to suggest complete stumbling or falling away (Matt. 13:57, 15:12; 17:27), but all of them refer to some kind of stumbling in faith.

When Jesus ends his words in v. 6, then, we are to conclude that John's question in v. 3 is an example not just of idle curiosity but of "stumbling" or of some kind of "falling off" in faith. John has expressed doubts, perhaps significant doubts, about who Christ actually is.

III. Who is John? (vv. 7-11)--Jesus' Affirmation of John

What is remarkable about this passage for me is that as soon as Jesus blesses his hearers who are not scandalized/do not "stumble" over him, he gives an assessment of John. He lists two things that John isn't and then one thing that John is. The first image is drawn from the natural world around him and the second from the royal court. Jesus' point is that John is not your average messenger or even prophet. John is affirmed for his countercultural role and for being greater than any of the prophets.

When Jesus asks if they went out to see "a reed shaken by the wind (v.7)," he has in mind the attractive native grasses of Israel, which probably were within the sight, if not the imagination, of his hearers. As with prairie grasses in Kansas or native grasses of California, so the reeds of Israel, especially when the wind blows on them, are often known because of their eye-catching color and sway. Is this the reason people came out to see John? Because of his camel's hair? Because he was a well-coiffed celeb? Or, did people expect to see a person dressed in royal robes? Did they just want to look at John as a sort of striking figure, or did they want to listen to what he had to say? Everyone knows that many people who draw the eye of a culture do so because of their attire and antics. But people are often attracted to that person just to see them and not because the person brings any wisdom or insight into God.

John in fact was a prophet, a sort of super-prophet--because he was the messenger who prepared the way for the Christ. Note, however, what Jesus is doing. Rather than evaluating John's worth in accordance with his level of doubt, Jesus recognizes him for who he is. John is more than a prophet. He may be a person who stumbles over Christ, because he doesn't have a conceptual world that is broad enough to include the deeds and words of Jesus, but he is more than a prophet, and he should be honored as such.

This is a point that should give us pause. One of the issues I have always associated with doubt is a lack of faith. And, a lack of faith means that somehow one is not quite as pleasing or acceptable to God as a person with faith. That has been the "buzz" that I have accepted, probably without deep reflection, over the years. But our passage says something fully different to me. John's place in the world and John's evaluation by Jesus is based not on whether or not he "stumbles" over Jesus but by the role he was chosen by God to play. John is a prophet, greater than any previous prophet. He does not have full insight into Christ (this, I think, is the meaning of v. 11), but that doesn't change the way that Christ looks at him. Christ looks at him based on God's "categories," so to speak, and not on the seeming lack of faith or commitment that his questions indicate. Thus, if God sees us according to our call and not according to our doubts, why are we then afraid of doubts? Let them come on; let's ask Christ, as did John, the question that is bothering our heart.

Conclusion

This may especially be relevant to us during the Advent Season. Here the pressure to "believe" or at least act like we believe is intense. But what if we doubt? Do we have the grace to admit it? Perhaps we feel we won't have a job or support if we do. But ultimately it is the integrity of John that brought forth Jesus' words; and I would suppose it works the same way today....

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