Matthew 11:2-6 ESV Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers[are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
Everyone has doubts now and then. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes brutal. It can wear down even the most faithful of Believers.
John the Baptist was one of the most faithful men who ever lived. God had called him for a specific purpose – to be the herald for Jesus, the King of Kings. John had completed his assignment to fearlessly proclaim the coming of the Messiah. One of the rewards God gave John for his service was to see the promised Christ face to face and even to baptize Him.
When John first saw Jesus he immediately knew that Jesus was The One. John told the crowd and later told his own disciples to follow Jesus. But now John is questioning. He was sitting in a dungeon somewhere probably assuming his days were numbered. The confidence he so readily effused at the Jordan dissipated under the harsh reality of life.
So, John sends emissaries to make sure that his faith hadn’t been in vain. When Jesus heard their question, He was not indignant. He gave them the most powerful answer He could. He reminded them that He was fulfilling the prophecies given about the Messiah in the Old Testament. John could rest assured that Jesus was truly the Christ.
Eventually we all have our moments of doubt. When the medical report comes back with dire news. When our dreams are dashed or our world seems to be crumbling, the truth about God that we held onto so firmly can vanish amidst the swirling emotions crashing in our soul. The important thing is to not be swept away but come back to God. Ask Him for reassurance. Ask and you will receive. Probably the Holy Spirit will prompt you to remember the many times God has been there for you in the past. He will give you the strength to once again trust in the One who has always been there for you and who is the answer to whatever situation you are in.
The only real problem comes when people demand that God follow their agenda instead of accepting His. Had John demanded that Jesus get him out of jail, he would have been disappointed. We know John died in that cell. For the last 2000+ years though, John the Baptist has been receiving his reward.
When we demand God act in a certain way, we set ourselves up for bitterness. I knew a man once who was a believer and was very dedicated to his faith. When he got cancer he prayed for healing that never came. Towards the end of his earthly life he was very bitter about his illness. He was offended that God did not answer his prayer in the way he wanted.
God does not always give us what we ask for. Sometimes He allows, perhaps even causes, circumstances and situations that are not what we want. Jesus says if we do not take offense at this, then we will be blessed. If we cannot accept God’s plans for us, we run the risk of blaming God and possibly even rejecting Him.
Heavenly Father, I know that I can trust You. Lift up my spirit when the doubts come and give me the faith to believe Your truth. Keep me from ever being offended and guide me on the path You call me to walk.