Matthew 11  John the Baptist is in prison.. perhaps discouraged.. wondering why things weren't turning around.. after all the Messiah has come!  So, he sent his disciples to go see Jesus.. to ask Him if He really was the "Expected One".  Jesus answered John's inquiry this way.. "Go and report to John what you hear and see;  the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.. and blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me." 

The "Expected One" turned out to be different than what John expected. Jesus has a way of doing things that are far different than what we think He will. He goes far beyond our expectations!  Did John think that Jesus would just become King of the world and that would be that?  We kind of wish it was that way...  But, Jesus came to do something much greater.. He came to meet the greatest needs of mankind so that we can be ready for His Kingdom to come. 

Jesus told the crowd that John was "more than a prophet".  He was God's messenger.  He was "Elijah". Why were they drawn to him.. why did they go out into the wilderness?  What did they expect John to be?  What did they expect the Messiah to be?  They criticized John.. They criticized Jesus.. because neither of them were what they expected them to be.  "Yet, wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." Or as the Message says it, "The proof is in the pudding"!  Look and listen, Jesus told the disciples of John.. look and listen He is telling the multitude.  See what Jesus did.. not just what you expected.. but what actually happened. 

How do I practice this in my own life?  Do I also have expectations about what Jesus is doing or will do in my life.. that are not being met the way I think they should be?  Am I willing to stop making it about what I want.. and look and listen to what He is actually doing? 

Lord, my King and Master, have Your own way.. I am weary and heavy laden and I need Your rest. I take Your yoke.. to learn from You. Thank You for sharing Your life with me.  I need You so. Help me to look and to listen.. to see You.. the real Messiah and Lord.. the Son of God.. the King of kings.. who leads me to the Father and reveals Him to me.... O praise the Lord!  Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus! Amen.