December 12, 2018
Luke 7:18-30 New Living Translation (NLT)
Doing the right thing—the Christ honoring thing—in life does not always bring the results we might expect. For example, in our passage today, John the Baptist is in jail for doing the right thing—speaking the Truth as the Spirit gives it to him. But, even though he has followed God’s heart and is the fulfillment of prophecy, he finds himself punished and in jail. I imagine that is why he begins to questioned whether or not Jesus is the Messiah and sends the disciples to bring back an answer. Jesus indirectly answers John’s questions by proceeding to do many miracles for the disciples to witness and report back to John.
As we continue our Advent journey on the path of peace, may we like John be willing to face our doubts, go to Jesus for reassurance, and continue our move forward into the peace and completeness of God knowing he is in control of his children. We must guard our hearts so we do not fall away from the faith when things do not go as we planned. Jesus is the Savior and he will save every heart that seeks him. Jesus shines a Light on the Truth of a bigger mission in the world than just one soul, yet he always fulfills his promise to be our personal Savior. Trust the Lord with your whole heart and remain in peace, today.
Luke 7:18-30 Jesus and John the Baptist
18 The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, 19 and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
20 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?’”
21 At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. 22 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, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 23 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
24 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? 25 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. 26 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 27 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.’
28 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!”
29 When they heard this, all the people—even the tax collectors—agreed that God’s way was right, for they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for salvation and the ability to see you work in lives everyday. I am blessed. In Jesus’ name. Amen.