Word@Work Luke106 - Luke 7:18-20
Published: Wed, 05/19/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
DEALING WITH DOUBT
Luke 7:18-20 John's disciples told him [John the Baptist] about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'" (NIV)
John the Baptist was in prison because he told the truth about King Herod's affair with his brother's wife (Matthew 14:3-4). Although many people were glad when John announced that God's Saviour was coming, Herod was not willing to repent of his sin. John's courageous truth-telling cost him his liberty and later his life. But at the time of this account, he was wondering if his suffering was worth it. His key question was, "Is Jesus the promised Messiah"?
That sounds as though John doubted Jesus' identity - but surely he was a man of faith! Yes he was, but nobody is immune to the doubts which challenge our faith in Jesus. Such thoughts may stem from the devil's lies, people's comments, difficult circumstances or our own inner uncertainties. For John, the distress of prison and the fear of death would be intolerable if Jesus was not Messiah after all. So that is why John sent two of his followers to Jesus with the question, "Who are you?"
That is still the key question of faith. If Jesus really is the 'Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace' of Isaiah 9:6, then whatever happens, we can be confident that our trust in Him will never be disappointed. But, as in any relationship, we cannot trust Jesus unless we get to know who He is. God has provided all the information we need in the Bible: and as people read with an open heart, God's Holy Spirit convinces them that Jesus is fully trustworthy as Saviour, King, Comforter and Friend. Read one of the Gospels with your friends and colleagues - they will discover that their search for God is satisfied in Jesus!
Prayer: Faithful God. Thank You for providing me with so much evidence that Jesus is Lord of all. Please forgive me when I allow doubts to invade my peace and wreck my relationship with You because I have moved away from wholly trusting Jesus. Thank You for freshly alerting me to the truth that I need to keep my mind focussed on the Jesus of the Bible so that I may recognise His voice through the Holy Spirit. May I trust Jesus today; knowing that His love surrounds me, His cross provides forgiveness and His resurrection assures me that He is alive. As the circumstances of life flood in, may I be anchored securely by faith in Jesus; believing that He will never let me go and that serving Him is never futile. In His Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
John the Baptist was in prison because he told the truth about King Herod's affair with his brother's wife (Matthew 14:3-4). Although many people were glad when John announced that God's Saviour was coming, Herod was not willing to repent of his sin. John's courageous truth-telling cost him his liberty and later his life. But at the time of this account, he was wondering if his suffering was worth it. His key question was, "Is Jesus the promised Messiah"?
That sounds as though John doubted Jesus' identity - but surely he was a man of faith! Yes he was, but nobody is immune to the doubts which challenge our faith in Jesus. Such thoughts may stem from the devil's lies, people's comments, difficult circumstances or our own inner uncertainties. For John, the distress of prison and the fear of death would be intolerable if Jesus was not Messiah after all. So that is why John sent two of his followers to Jesus with the question, "Who are you?"
That is still the key question of faith. If Jesus really is the 'Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace' of Isaiah 9:6, then whatever happens, we can be confident that our trust in Him will never be disappointed. But, as in any relationship, we cannot trust Jesus unless we get to know who He is. God has provided all the information we need in the Bible: and as people read with an open heart, God's Holy Spirit convinces them that Jesus is fully trustworthy as Saviour, King, Comforter and Friend. Read one of the Gospels with your friends and colleagues - they will discover that their search for God is satisfied in Jesus!
Prayer: Faithful God. Thank You for providing me with so much evidence that Jesus is Lord of all. Please forgive me when I allow doubts to invade my peace and wreck my relationship with You because I have moved away from wholly trusting Jesus. Thank You for freshly alerting me to the truth that I need to keep my mind focussed on the Jesus of the Bible so that I may recognise His voice through the Holy Spirit. May I trust Jesus today; knowing that His love surrounds me, His cross provides forgiveness and His resurrection assures me that He is alive. As the circumstances of life flood in, may I be anchored securely by faith in Jesus; believing that He will never let me go and that serving Him is never futile. In His Name. Amen.
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