“Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” (Luke 7:22-23 KJV)
What was the question that Jesus was providing an answer to here? John had prepared the way. He was now in prison. He ended up dying without a trial. Pain sometimes does a very interesting thing in us. You may think pain would help clarify an otherwise cloudy situation. Yet, for many of us it causes our management instincts to kick in. If something is not going as planned or forecast, then we want to make corrections. It is probably a very logical thing to do. If corrections need to be made then make them.
What about the answer that Jesus gives actually provides John with is what John really needs to know? Would it be difficult to receive news that the kingdom is progressing nicely whether or not any help to your immediate situation is to be forthcoming? What makes that hard? The idea that you are not (or are no longer) right in the middle of the stream of what needs to be done? Yet, there is a blessing for those who are not offended (or tripped up by) this news. If we are not in the middle of the action, then what does our attitude and displeasure matter? Is there really value to our faith remaining strong even when our death is imminent and the work is carrying on without us? Yes! It is at this moment that you have the opportunity to reveal the strongest kind of faith. A faith that trusts in the work of Jesus even when you have a rapidly shrinking part in it. It is among the greatest fruits that Jesus will look for on our branches. It is the fruit that must be bore even when it does not seem to be the season.
“And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.” (Mark 11:13-14 KJV)