In the passage we’re looking at today, John the Baptist’s great expectations about Jesus seem to be in doubt. Things are not working out the way he expected. He apparently is unsure whether Jesus is the promised Messiah, so he sends a couple of messengers to find out if his expectations are realistic or misplaced.

The message throughout the passage is that we must align our expectations with the Word of God. Our expectations may not be accurate or rational. We must follow God’s Word and not our own wishes or biases.

This passage contains three clear-cut sections. In the first, Jesus addresses questions sent from John the Baptist. In the second, Jesus testifies as to John’s status as a great prophet. And in the third, Jesus criticizes the Jewish leaders for rejecting both John and himself.