Today’s text shows us a prominent man of faith, John the Baptist, actually having doubts about Jesus. After all he had known and experienced concerning Jesus being the Messiah, he now finds himself struggling in a dark prison and things aren’t going the way he thought they would at the arrival of the Messiah. So, he sends disciples to Jesus to confirm Jesus’ divine calling and Messiahship.
Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’” And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”” (Luke 7:18–23, NKJV)
It is not unusual for great spiritual leaders to have their days of doubt and uncertainty. Moses was ready to quit on one occasion (Numbers 11:10-15), and so were Elijah (1 Kings 19) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:7-9, 14-18), and even Paul knew the meaning of despair (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).
Today we will explore the cause and cure for doubt in the Christian’s life.
A few things to define upfront
BIBLICAL FAITH is a choice to trust in, rely upon and cling to Jesus. UNBELIEF is a willful choice to resist and not believe God’s word. DOUBTis the mental condition of questioning what you thought you knew. Doubt is the struggle of a believer. Unbelievers don’t doubt. Unbelievers simply don’t believe. Doubt can serve the believer well if we use our doubts to dig deeper in order to investigate further and discover truth.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12, NKJV)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24, NKJV)
Pastor Mike Sasso