In verses 11 and 12, John talk about the coming Messiah.  If you read how he talks, you can see impressions from the whole Jewish culture on how they expected the Messiah to come.  Now this was John, who was “to prepare a way” for Christ, so if anyone should know what to expect, it was John.  That being said, for any man, without libeties & freedom, under rule, for such a long time and a people with a history of being in captivity and slavery…it is bound to influence what they read in the scriptures and put a little spin on their expectations.

Here John talks about the Holy Spirit coming as well, and also how Christ will distinguish the unbelieving from the believers, and those unbelieving will go to hell.  Though if you read how he puts it, it comes across as one that we would see as a militant leader who will rally the people, and strike down the false leaders.  He even recognized Jesus (I believe through the Holy Spirit’s leading) when he came to John to be baptized in v13-17.

After that, lets just skip forward to Ch 11, v2-3, “When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”. Obviously, after watching Jesus’ teaching and preaching and his humble and gentle approach, John seems to question what he knows.  Jesus clears it up for him, but still the doubt is there.

I think this says a lot about us these days, as well.  The world is much more attuned to a leader with a false message, than a humble servant with a true message.  I think it goes back to our sinful nature that adores power, wealth, comeliness and the things of this world.  That is what leadership qualities demonstrate, and that is why a true leader in the Church is so rare a thing (ala Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, etc).  I think the world has a hard time accepting a Savior who provided teachings, love and a true message, and then gave himself up to die for us.  In the truest sense, this is the best, most courageous, most honorable, most loving thing a man could’ve done….but it appears to the world as weak.

Jesus is unexpected, and people in the world will have trouble accepting a Christ who does not meet their worldly expectations of a leader, but make no mistake; the is POWER behind the throne, and the acceptance of what Christ did for us in the ONLY way to fulfill our needs and desires!

In the future, we should try looking at the message, and not at the leader.  This will give you a better perspective on what is according to God, and not according to the world.