IT'S OKAY TO ASK

IT'S OKAY TO ASK

READ:
Luke 7:18-28

Go and tell John the things
you have seen and heard:
that the blind see, the lame
walk,...the poor have the
gospel preached to them.
-Luke 7:22

It's perfectly natural for fear and doubt to creep into our minds at times.  "What if heaven isn't real after all?"  "Is Jesus the only way to God?"  Will it matter in the end how I lived my life?"  Questions like these should not be given quick or trite responses.

John the Baptist, whom Jesus called the greatest of the prophets (Luke 7:28), had questions shortly before his execution (v.19).  He wanted to know for sure that Jesus was the Messiah and that his own ministry had therefore been valid.

Jesus' response is a comforting model for us to use.  Instead of discounting the doubt or criticizing John, Jesus pointed to the miracles He was doing.  As eyewitnesses, John's disciples could return with vivid assurances for their mentor.  But He did more-He used words and phrases (v.22) drawn from Isaiah's prophecies of the coming Messiah (Isaiah 35:4-6; 61:1), which were certain to be familiar to John.

Then, turning to the crowd, Jesus praised John (Luke 7:24-28), removing any doubt that He was offended by John's need for reassurance after all he had seen (Matthew 3:13-17).

Questioning and doubting, both understandable human responses, are opportunities to remind, reassure, and comfort those who are shaken by uncertainty. -Randy Kilgore

When my poor soul in doubt is cast
And darkness hides the Savior's face,
His love and truth still hold me fast
For He will keep me by His grace. -D. De Haan
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Reassurance comes as we doubt our doubts and
believe our beliefs.

INSIGHT
Instead of seeing the kingdom of God transform the world, John found himself in prison.  Jesus addressed John's concern by listing the characteristics of the kingdom evidenced in His ministry:  the lame walk, the deaf hear, the blind see, the poor hear the gospel, and the dead are raised (Luke 7:22; cf. Mark 7:32; Luke 5:17-26; 7:11-16; John 9:1-7).

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace