Are You the One?

One of the most powerful dialogues in the New Covenant Scriptures takes place between John the Immerser and Yeshua (Jesus). Actually, the discussion also includes a few third party messengers, John’s disciples. We read of the exchange in Matthew chapter 11:

Matthew 11:2-6 “Now when John heard in prison about the works of the Messiah, he sent word through his disciples and said to Yeshua, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Yeshua replied, “Go report to John what you hear and see: the blind see and the lame walk, those with tza'arat are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised and the poor have good news proclaimed to them. Blessed is the one who is not led to stumble because of Me.””

Notice that the text begins with John in prison having heard about the works or miracles that Yeshu had been doing. John, understandably affected by his circumstances, sends his disciples to Yeshua to ask if He, Yeshua, was truly “The One.” 

Yeshua told John’s disciples to report to John what they hear and see: the blind see, the lame walk, those with tzara’at (leprosy) are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed. 

Most of us who believe in Yeshua are at least a little familiar with these powerful words. But, we rarely think about the last two statements made by Yeshua. We know Yeshua’s entire statement was intended to both answer John’s question and also encourage John. 

For a moment, let’s look at those last two often overlooked statements. The first says the Good News is being proclaimed. The words “Good News” are sometimes translated as “The Gospel.” Think about those words. The Gospel was being proclaimed while John was in prison and before Yeshua went to the cross. What exactly was this Good News that was being proclaimed? 

Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Ruach Adonai Elohim is on me, because Adonai has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of Adonai’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of Adonai, that He may be glorified.”

The Gospel was the message of the One - the One for whom Israel was waiting, the One who would proclaim Good News to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to captives, proclaim the year of Adonai’s favor and to proclaim the day of G-D’s vengeance; to comfort the mourning, give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy, the garment of praise. 

Why was the One going to do and bring all of the above? So that Israel His people would be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of Adonai, so that He, Adonai may be glorified. 

The Gospel, or Good News, isn’t just the death, burial, and resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah. The Good News is what the death, burial, and resurrection brought forth. The Good News isn’t a New Testament thing. It isn’t the New Covenant. It is what the One proclaimed and what the One did. The Good News is deliverance. It is healing. It is restoration. It is peace. It is joy. It is liberty. Yes, the Good News is all of those blessings and promises and so much more. But, the Good News is also vengeance and judgement. 

When Yeshua sent His message to John while he was in prison, He directly and clearly answered John’s question. Yes, He was the One. He not only answered that question that day to John, but He also continued to answer the same question from that day on. He is answering the same question today, and His answer is emphatically: Yes, I am the One! The Good News hasn’t changed since Isaiah prophesied, and Yeshua is still proclaiming that He is the One, not only through the testimony of the Scriptures, but through the testimony of those being set free today - those who are still being called Oaks of Righteousness.‭‭