Most Blessed

When Jesus finished placing this charge before his twelve disciples, he went on to teach and preach in their villages. 2 John, meanwhile, had been locked up in prison. When he got wind of what Jesus was doing, he sent his own disciples 3 to ask, "Are you the One we've been expecting, or are we still waiting?" 4 Jesus told them, "Go back and tell John what's going on: 5 The blind see, The lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the wretched of the earth learn that God is on their side. 6 "Is this what you were expecting? Then count yourselves most blessed!"

Matthew 11:1-6(The Message)



At the end of his rope, imprisoned as a result of his ministry which was to prepare the way for Jesus, John asks for confirmation that Jesus was the Messiah, that the One he had been waiting for and had spent his life preparing other people for had finally arrived. John’s life work was completed, his work was finished as Jesus the Messiah, the One for whom he had been paving the way was finally here. I can only imagine the joy that he felt, even in the midst of his circumstances as a result of the faithfulness and trust that he had put in God Almighty. Sometimes I feel like I can relate to how John the Baptist must have felt in that cold dark cell prior to this confirmation as he wondered if his life had even mattered, if the Messiah had indeed finally come. Sometimes I wonder if the work that I do every day even matters in light of eternity as the worldly rewards seem to be few and far between. In addition, at times I wonder if my ministry is making a difference, if the simple words that I write most every morning are directed by God’s Spirit to a heart that needs to be encouraged or challenged to know and love God and people more. This fallen world has a way of beating you down at times and it will try to snuff out your joy and your enthusiasm for the work that you are doing for the Lord. What Jesus would tell you this morning is that you are “most blessed!” He would tell you that He is alive, that He is using your life in ways that you might not ever know until that day when you meet Him face to face. What Jesus would tell you this morning is to hold you head up high and let His love flow through your life onto others in the midst of whatever circumstance that you are facing as He is in control and He is carrying you through to the end of this race called life. Jesus loves you more than you could ever imagine today and His love is all that you need.