Luke 7:18–35 (ESV)
18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ ” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “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. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” 24 When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written, “ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, 30 but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.) 31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ 33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”
There is a great deal we could talk about in this passage but let’s focus on something that we all struggle with from time to time, doubt. We all have times when we struggle with doubt and find ourselves second guessing our decisions; did I make the right career choice, is this the right school for me, should I have bought this house, this car, is this the right relationship, did I make the right choices with my kids, or with my parents?
Maybe you’ve even had some doubts about following Jesus.
John the Baptist certainly did. Remember that John was Jesus’ cousin. From before John was born, John had recognized Jesus. He leaped in his mother’s womb when Mary, pregnant with Jesus came to meet her relative Elizabeth who was pregnant with John.
In the Gospel of John—John the Baptist constantly pointed to Jesus as the Messiah. When John sees Jesus coming towards him, John boldly declares that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John has always known the identity of Jesus.
But now John has some doubts.
Yes, John is in prison for speaking out against king Herod, but that’s not the cause of his doubt and uncertainty. John’s disciples have brought John reports of the miraculous signs that Jesus has been doing, and it all seems well and good, but there is something missing from John’s point of view.
What’s missing is the part of the Messiah being a powerful judge who is going to hold evildoers and sinners accountable for their actions. John had given warnings and called people to repentance in that regard, but the element of judgment that John expects in the Messiah isn’t present in Jesus.
So, John is struggling, he is questioning his own life and ministry, he has doubts which is why he sends his disciples to Jesus with the question, “Are you the one?”
I love how Jesus responds to the question.
Jesus doesn’t give a simple affirmative answer. Jesus doesn’t say, “Yup, I’m your guy.” Instead, Jesus gives John a resume. Jesus tells John’s disciples to report what they have seen and heard: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor hear the Good News.
These are six prophetic claims about the Messiah from the prophet Isaiah. Six prophecies about the work of the Messiah are fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus’ ministry and works of healing are a resume that declares Jesus to be the One, the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God. John’s disciples are to take that resume back to John.
Jesus also gives John’s disciples one more word to bring back John, a word of personal encouragement for John to hold onto his faith. “Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
John is struggling in his faith, but Jesus is encouraging John to hold on.
This is how the kingdom of God is breaking into the world, through mercy, forgiveness, and love. Those who recognize it and grab ahold of it will be blessed.
John does the right thing with his doubts in bringing them to Jesus, but what strikes me about this passage is that Jesus doesn’t get offended by John’s doubt and question.
At the beginning of this devotional, I mentioned that we all have moments when we struggle with doubt. What do you do with your doubt? My encouragement to you is not to hesitate for a moment. Bring your doubt to Jesus. He won’t be offended.
I also want to encourage you to take a moment to remember the ways God has worked and moved in your life and how you have received mercy, forgiveness, and love. Where have you seen the grace of God being present in your life (He is, in fact, always with you)?
Jesus is always with you, even in the middle of the dark and doubt.
God bless you, and know that you are constantly in my prayers.
Scott