Bringing Our Uncertainties to God

Devotional Reflection, Friday, October 20, 2023

Proper 23, the week of the twenty-first week after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:

2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’

You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 986)

AM Psalm 16, 17; PM Psalm 22

Jer. 38:14-28; 1 Cor. 15:1-11; Matt. 11:1-6

David's Reflections

What happens in our relationship with God when uncertainties dominate the spiritual horizon? When we can't get a compass reading on who God and Jesus are and whether they are present in our circumstances? When what we expected in life gives way to unwelcome surprises and reversals? When we can find no solid theological or spiritual ground on which to stand? When nothing we anticipated about God and life comes out the way we expected?

John the Baptist had preached that the Messiah, God's anointed end-time savior, would initiate a separation of the righteous and the wicked and usher in the new age of salvation and deliverance. Instead Jesus had run afoul of the religious establishment and was associating with outcasts and sinners; rather than separating the righteous and the wicked, Jesus had mingled with the righteous and the wicked, eating and drinking with both. John’s expectation of an immediate judgment on the wicked had not unfolded. The Romans and Herod still were in power and the religious establishment had not been overturned. And, Jesus had engaged in a ministry of healing. John had expected something different, hence his question, “Are you the one who is to come or are we to wait for another”?

Matthew reports Jesus' responding by pointing to those very healing miracles and to his preaching mission. He alluded to Isaiah 29 and 35, where the signs of the final salvation that God would bring corresponded with his healings. And, he mentioned Isaiah 61, the ministry of preaching and deliverance of the poor and oppressed, which corresponded with the form of his ministry. Jesus did not simply say, "Yes, I am the Messiah." Rather, he gave John bits of light to tease his own faith into a renewed and enlightened confidence.

We can take a few pages from this episode for our own life experience. First, when we are uncertain and disappointed and struggling, we can address ourselves directly to God. John did say, "Are YOU the one who comes?". He did address his question directly to Jesus, rather than saying to others, "I wonder if HE really is the one who comes?". This episode tells me that God invites the expression of our disappointments, doubts, and uncertainties directly to Godself.

Second, Jesus responded positively and gently. It is a cliché that Episcopalians can bring their brains and their questions to church. But, even more than that, we can bring them directly to God. We are invited to think, to reason, to struggle, knowing that God will reach out to us through the opening we give God in our prayers and God will talk directly with us. God will not remove the need for struggle and the need for trust, but God will give us additional light and energy that will carry us through to a more certain place.

Jesus invites John not to stumble over unfulfilled expectations and uncertainty into a loss of faith, "Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me" could be rendered, "Blessed is the one who does not stumble over me." Better to struggle over who Jesus is and how he relates to us than not to be bothered by the questions at all. But, in our struggles, Jesus encourages us to persevere past any moment when our faith seems to dissolve into unbelief.

As the late Eduard Schweizer, a German New Testament scholar once observed, "It is not the (person) man stricken by doubts who stumbles but the (person) man no longer stricken by the question of Jesus.”+

+Eduard Schweizer, The Good News According to Matthew, trans. David E. Green (Atlanta: John Knox, 1975), p. 257.

Collect of the Day, Proper 23, the twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, pp. 234-235)

Of the Holy Cross

Especially suitable for Fridays

Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 253)

A Prayer for Light

O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men and women everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 124)

Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 11:1-6

11:1Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities. 2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ 4Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.’ Amen.

Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer