Remembering why we're here

This week's verses are Matthew 11:7-9:

While they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Look, those who wear soft clothing are in the palaces of kings! What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet! 

These verses take place when John the baptist had been arrested and thrown in jail. He and his followers started getting a little skittish. So Jesus challenges them a bit on their faith. 

He reminds them: "Why did you come out in the first place?" Was it to hear crickets and watch the grass blow in the wind? Was it to see a show? No! It was because they knew they would hear God speak. 

We probably find ourselves sometimes in a similar bind to John and his disciples. Things were not turning out the way they expected they would and they were starting to question things. In the moment, it can seem like we're off course, but Jesus reminds us to begin in the beginning. What drew you in the first place? On the day you decided to become a Christian, you did it for a reason. Not everything happens by chance. 

So Jesus basically tells them, "Look, you knew what was going on in the beginning. Don't backpedal and make excuses now. Stay the course." They're tough words for a bunch of people who thought they would have an easy victory. They thought they would be part of an era of freedom from Roman oppression, but instead have now found their leader in jail and the winds changing quickly. It's rational for them to want to give up and run away. But what's happening with John doesn't invalidate the truth about Jesus. 

The same can be said about any hardship in our life. If you're struggling with sickness, or money issues or whatever, it's tragic, but it doesn't invalidate the truth about Jesus. Even if we lose our heads, like John, we won't lose our souls, thanks to what Jesus did for us on the cross. Instead of focusing on what might be going wrong, stay the course and celebrate what is ours for eternity.