7 Minute Read
Today’s Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25
Luke 7:11-35
Psalm 68:19-35
Proverbs 11:29-31
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Luke 7:28 (NLT): “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!”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Have you ever had some doubts about your faith? I mean, some serious doubts?
Maybe you have wondered if God really exists. Perhaps you wondered if placing your trust in Jesus really saves you. You might have wondered if the Bible is really trustworthy.
Sometimes, if we have these doubts, we may keep them securely tucked away in the corners of our minds. We wouldn’t dare let others know of our questions. Why? Because “good Christians” don’t ever have such doubts – or so we think.
In Luke 7, we read that John the Baptist sent word by way of his disciples to Jesus to ask if He was truly the Messiah. In Matthew 11:2-3, we come to understand that this happened while he was in prison.
Matthew 11:2-3 (NLT): “John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’”
Jad had been imprisoned. He had previously been telling people that the Messiah was coming and that Jesus was the Messiah. And like in Matthew, we read in Luke 7 that he’s having some serious doubts.
We wouldn’t have been surprised if Jesus responded by saying something like, “Oh, you of little faith.” Or, “How in the world can you doubt Me when you were recently telling others that I was ‘the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world’?”
But Jesus didn’t do that. He knew that John was discouraged and confused as he sat in a prison cell. He wanted confirmation that his beliefs were not misplaced. And so John brought his questions to Jesus.
What did Jesus do? He reminded John the Baptist of who He is and what He had done (Luke 7:21-23). This evidence would bolster John’s faith.
Further, as John’s disciples were leaving to bring these words back to their imprisoned teacher, Jesus lavished praise on John the Baptist, probably so that the disciples of John could hear these words and encourage their teacher (Luke 7:24-28).
Luke 7:28 (NLT): “I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John…”
This is an important truth, friend. Are you going to have doubts from time to time? Sure. But a very important question is: “What does God think of our doubts if we are genuinely in pursuit of truth?”
All we need do is look at how Jesus responded to the doubting, discouraged John the Baptist. Jesus didn’t rebuke him. Instead, He provided him with some answers and evidence, and then He encouraged him.
Friend, don’t ever let Satan cause you to wallow in defeat when you struggle with some aspect of your faith. He would love for nothing more than to convince you that you have disappointed your God. Nothing could be further from the truth! God will compassionately meet you where you are and help you during that time.
I think we really need to reflect on how much our God loves us even when we don’t feel lovable!
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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