The Jewish people in their long history had long known YHWY to be both transcendent and immanent. YHWY was in heaven but they also experienced YHWY in their midst. When Jesus raised up the widow’s son from the dead the people who witnessed it began glorifying God saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited His people!” Jesus Immanuel means “God is with us”. Jesus, the Son of God, was walking in their midst and He demonstrated His power over spirits and nature and life and even death. This resurrection miracle of the widow's son is one of the powerful signs of the Messiahship of Jesus Christ. Jesus says in Revelation, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades.”
John the Baptist was in prison and was soon to be martyred by Herod. John understood that his ministry was to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah but he was getting anxious to know if this was fulfilled in Jesus. The Jewish expectations were for a different kind of Messiah, one that would defeat the Roman army and bring judgment upon evildoers. Seeking peace of mind, John sends messengers to Jesus to inquire if he is the Messiah. Jesus answers John by pointing to the signs of the Kingdom of God already present within their midst, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” John received his peace as he would have recognized these signs from Jesus as the signs of the day of salvation of the Lord as foretold by the prophets. Jesus indeed is the Messiah, the Son of God, present and in our midst. Jesus Immanuel, "God is with us."
Prayer: Gracious God we know that you are so very near to us and that you are always present with us. Forgive us when we doubt and look to our own expectations instead of to you. Help us today to see you and to hear you more clearly. Amen.
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