“Then he told John’s disciples, ‘Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.’ And he added, ‘God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.” Luke 7:22–23 NLT
John the Baptist made a spiritual mistake by not fully recognizing or understanding God’s will. But even in the depths of his doubt, he did something very, very wise: He looked to Jesus for an answer. He did not try to sugarcoat his struggle. He asked Jesus point-blank, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Luke 7:20 NLT).
Look closely at Jesus’ reply in Luke 7:22–23 above. He was not offended by John’s question. He did not condemn John for his lapse in faith. And He did not say, “Just believe—or else!” Instead, He pointed to verifiable evidence: “The blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life” (Luke 7:22 NLT). Jesus did not give John a reprimand for his doubt; He gave him the hope and assurance he needed. If you struggle with a lapse of faith as John the Baptist did, do not despair. Rethink your expectations. Take your doubts straight to Jesus. Ask Him to help you understand His purpose and His plan. When you open your heart to His truth, you will find that it far exceeds your greatest hopes and dreams.
Question for reflection: In what areas and in what situations are you most vulnerable to spiritual doubts?
