S: Luke 7:20-28 John’s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’” At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. 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, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.
And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.” After John’s disciples left, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet.
John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!”
O: John the Baptist had been put in prison for speaking the truth of the Lord. He was feeling down and despondent. He had baptised Jesus, and proclaimed that Jesus would increase while he would decrease, but that he had the joy of the friend of the bridegroom. Yet, now he sat in prison. So it is not surprising that he was feeling down and doubt, so he sent his disciples to get reassurance from Jesus whether He was truly the promised Messiah or not.
Jesus said "God blesses those who do not turn away because of me." But then He went on to commend John, "I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John."
A: We all feel doubt at times. That is not the same as turning away from God. We all go through times of discouragement. Sometimes, we will not escape from the trouble we are in in this life -- John himself never got out of prison, but would eventually be beheaded. Yet, Jesus proclaimed that he was the greatest person who ever lived.
So when we feel doubt, it's not a sign that we have turned away. Run to Jesus for His reassurance, even in the midst of our doubt.
P: Father, when I doubt, help me to always run to Jesus. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
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