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by Sandy Shaw
In Luke 7:18-35, we meet a puzzled prophet. Now we have recently been studying these incidents where Jesus Christ heals the servant of a Roman Centurion, and raises back to life a young man who had died.
One dear man is in prison as a result of his faithful preaching and baptising and prophesying. It is Jesus' cousin John, and when he challenged sin in the life of a king he was incarcerated in a dreadful jail.
John has questions. John even has doubts. John knew who Jesus was. John had baptised Jesus, but persecution and imprisonment, can do peculiar things even to a man of faith. We are all very vulnerable at times and that is why we so need each other.
"I am in this prison. All I have before me is death." John is in his early 30’s. Remember he is only six months older than Jesus Christ, and they are ‘family’. John had lived out in the open air, and now he is locked up physically and spiritually. News reaches John of all the mighty things cousin Jesus is doing. "Why won't he come and get me out of this horrid place?" Was that type of thing going through his mind? We can think bad dark thoughts in the middle of the night when we are troubled and doubting and wondering.
It is as though he attacked by a spirit of depression. He sends two disciples with questions which are full of doubt and wondering. The Bible is so absolutely honest and so devastatingly transparent. "Are you the one who should come or should we look for another?" This is a searching desperate question. Are you really the Christ?
Have you ever asked, “Why? Why? Why? "Have I made a mistake?"
Crowds were flocking to Jesus, but nothing significant or deep appeared to be happening. There were signs and wonders and various miracles. People were being moved emotionally, but there was not much to see that could be described as real and lasting.
At least John got people to repent - turn from their sins - sort things out - put things right – and clean up their behaviour. It is good to take your doubts to JESUS.
Is He an emotional miracle worker? This is what it must have looked like from prison - from a distance - in isolation? Being out of things can give rise to questions and doubts. We are created for fellowship - to hear each other praising -praying - worshipping. Being a visible obedient disciple in a Fellowship is vital. This was one of the basic principles in The Early Church.
To be isolated, when you are created to belong, is UTTER LONELINESS.
Verses 22,23. Jesus answers those who had come from John with questions. Look at what I am doing and go back and give John a full report - and Jesus quotes from Isaiah 35,61 - appealing to John's knowledge of the O.T. John had to learn that Jesus was going to carry out His Ministry - His Way - as the Father wanted Him to.
Verse 23 is so important. Never be offended or huffed at what Jesus is saying and doing. Then Jesus springs to John's defence. John may have had doubts about Jesus, but Jesus Christ had no doubts about John. John was no spiritual weakling. John was not blown around by popular opinions and flimsy fashions. John was no softie who could be easily silenced. John could not be swayed and persuaded by Jerusalem's political pressures, as they tried to get him to cool things down. John did the work God wanted him to do - ending up in prison - being beheaded.
When you sign up a soldier of Jesus Christ you do not receive a certificate saying that you will be kept safe and trouble free! I seldom promise people things, but this I do promise, you as you follow Jesus Christ, read the Word of God and study these Chapters. “Never for a single moment think that you are going to be problem free!”
Jesus says that John was more than a prophet. Jesus takes care of John's reputation. John was fearless, bold, courageous, fiery, uncompromising and holy.
Jesus Christ can take care of puzzled prophets - depressed disciples - sick servants - and weeping widows. Whatever category you come into – whatever your circumstances are today – know this – Jesus Christ can take care of you.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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