Matthew writes this stunning section in his gospel about “unbelief” in Israel. He begins the section by talking about John the Baptizer.
John is now in prison. He who once roamed free in the wilderness areas is now bound up.
He who walked in the light is now living in almost total darkness. He is more than likely being held in an underground prison cell.
He who spoke so freely and openly has now been silenced. And will soon be -silenced permanently.
John is torn. John has his misgivings. John is questioning in his heart about Jesus. John is also questioning everything he has ever stated about the coming Messiah. Is Jesus the Messiah? John wants to know. He too, has his doubts.
In the popular mind of Jews in the first century, the model for the messiah was
more along the lines of Judas Maccabeas, the leader of the Maccabean revolt, 167-166 BCE, whose program was militaristic. Some at the time even called Maccabeus “the messiah.”
There were old visions of a militaristic king like King David, who would slay his tens of thousands.
Ah, the good old days when Israel was one country and not divided between north and south. Would the messiah unite the nation again?
Perhaps the messiah would be like a Judge of old, a wise religious leader.
Some envisioned him on a white charger a steed of war – leading a mighty army and freeing Israel of all of its enemies.
“The trouble with Jesus” – was he was so different from the popular expectation.
He was also different from John’s expectations for a messiah.
“The trouble with Jesus” was – he was not what anyone expected.
As far as John knew, Jesus had never taken an ax to any trees.
Nor to the best of his knowledge – Jesus had not burned any chaff with “unquenchable fire.”
Jesus led no revolt against the Romans.
Jesus did not cause any prison walls to fall. Heck, John himself was incarcerated. And where was Jesus?
Jesus did not even baptize…he himself came and submitted and repented like everyone else and was baptized…
So John realizing that his days were probably numbered sent word to Jesus, “Are you the coming one or should we look for another?”
Just as others wanted to know – so did the baptizer from his prison cell…was he the one or not?
Jesus explained his role for John by invoking the prophet Isaiah.
He quite honorably does not answer the question directly.
Go and tell John what you see and what you hear. What do people say about me?
The deaf shall hear – Isaiah 29.18.

They eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy” – Isaiah 35.5-6
And you that are blind look up and see – Isaiah 42.17.
Your dead shall live – Isaiah 26.19.
Bring good news to the oppressed – Isaiah 61.1.
And then Jesus concludes with a beatitude of blessing – “And blessed is anyone who is not scandalized by me.”
It is a gentle and somewhat humble and unpretentious appeal not to look for another.
Jesus tells John to look no further…
We need to be mindful that this is a first century honor-shame society. It would be dishonorable to publicly claim for oneself a higher status than you were born with.
But at the same time – Jesus was saying things and doing things that was getting people talking about him. Gossip was spreading. Even behind prison walls! People were wondering and questioning – “Just who is this guy?” “What are we to make of him?” “Could someone like him – possibly be the messiah?”
Jesus also very honorably praises John for all that he has accomplished…in spite of the fact that he now sits behind prison bars.
In the final analysis Jesus tells them to report what they themselves have seen and heard…in other words…make up your own mind…you decide who I am!
Again, Jesus takes the most honorable way out.
And his status continued to soar….