December 8, 2021
Intro: Do you struggle with doubts or worries? When we try to figure everything out about Jesus purely using our human sense of reasoning, we are going to struggle. It can be exhausting and an utter waste of energy. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are not offended because of me!” (Matt 11:6). We are blessed when we do not fall away from the faith just because things do not make sense in the natural. Remember, we walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Faith is acting like we believe the Living Word of God (Christ) is the Way, Truth, and Life with God (John 14:6). Immanuel means God with Us (Matt 1:23).
When we come to Jesus for salvation, we come with an idea of who he is and how he will respond to all earthly things, don’t we? However, when those ideas do not align with our present circumstances we can find ourselves confused and doubtful about his love for us or the salvation Jesus actually offers. Satan waits for such unsettled emotions to surface, because he knows it is a slippery slope into rejection. Therefore, we must submit ourselves to God’s will, resist the work of Satan through patient endurance, and he will flee (James 4:7). Satan cannot overpower your devotion and trust in Christ, my friends.
In our passage today, John the Baptist has wrongfully and unjustly been placed in prison; he longs for political deliverance. He questions “why” he is in prison and “what” is going to become of him. Did he believe in the wrong Messiah? John believes Jesus is coming to take on the powers of darkness of which he is a victim. Yet, Jesus leaves John in prison and instead tells his disciples to report back to John about more and more miracles Jesus is doing.
Believers must face every fear and doubt with faith that God sees something we do not. In the shalom of God we must deal with doubt and unbelief. In the power of the Prince of Peace we confront fear and doubt with growing faith, because “holding on” to our Peace is worth the effort. In his First Coming, Jesus became the suffering servant for deliverance; to break the power of sin and death from his followers. In his Second Coming, Jesus will be a triumphant Ruler and Judge to take down Satan and his followers from positions of power once and for all.
Luke 7:18-23 (TPT) The Prophet John’s Question
18 John’s disciples reported to him in prison about all the wonderful miracles and the works Jesus was doing. 19 So John dispatched two of his disciples to go and inquire of Jesus. 20 When they came before the Master, they asked him, “Are you the coming Messiah we’ve been expecting, or are we to continue to look for someone else? John the prophet has sent us to you to seek your answer.”
21 Without answering, Jesus turned to the crowd and healed many of their incurable diseases. His miracle power freed many from their suffering. He restored the gift of sight to the blind, and he drove out demonic spirits from those who were tormented.
22 Only then did Jesus answer the question posed by John’s disciples. “Now go back and tell John what you have just seen and heard here today. The blind are now seeing. The crippled are now walking. Those who were lepers are now cured. Those who were deaf are now hearing. Those who were dead are now brought back to life. The poor and broken are given the hope of salvation.
23 And tell John these words: ‘The blessing of heaven comes upon those who never lose their faith in me, no matter what happens.’ ”
Prayer: Lord, please help us to put effort and patient endurance to our faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.