Doubts

Doubts
By Shirley Mitchell

“When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’ "
Matthew 11:2-3

John the Baptist said of Jesus in John 3:30, “He must become greater; I must become less.” He knew his ministry would dwindle when Jesus’ time had come. However, knowing it will happen and living it out are two different things.

In Matthew 11:1-6, John was in Herod’s prison for confronting the king with his sin of adultery with his brother’s wife. He was alone in a dark prison cell. I think the food in the prison would make even you and me long for a taste of those good ole locusts we ate in the wilderness. Some time back in the wilderness with wild animals would be better than the walls that enclosed him and the chains on his body while the prison’s creepy creatures crawled on him. I am sure he did not get prison yard breaks to get some fresh air and play some football. He was alone and in darkness...Plenty of time to think...Plenty of time to reflect on his life.

He sent word to Jesus and asked him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" I just wonder why he would ask Jesus if He was the Messiah. What was he was thinking all alone in that cell without his blackberry connection to the internet for information and a television to watch the evening news? Information only came through the prison guards and the message he was allowed to receive. I imagine that he thought something like this:

My father told my mother about the angel and that I would be born. He was right about so many things. Did he misunderstand that I would make a way for the Lord? Did he lie and add that part to the angel’s prophecy? No, he wouldn’t lie. I gave my life to You, God. My parents consecrated me since birth. I never drank fermented drink. My entire appearance showed my dedication...My hair, my clothes. Not only was I physically devoted, I was bold with the message I thought Your Spirit was leading me to say. I pointed my finger at those Pharisees. I told them their Jewish pedigree was not the key to a relationship with You. Yet, here I am in this desolate prison under the control of an evil man who makes decisions by his daily lusts. I told people Jesus was the Messiah. I called him the Lamb of God. Was He? I know I had to decrease, but when will He increase? I need to know. Was I wrong? Did I live my life for something that was not true?

I believe he was suffering from a severe case of doubt and took his question to the Messiah. This is the most shuddering question a once faithful disciple could think. Only the brave ask it and seek God to answer any doubts of His ability or willingness to act in their lives.

Has anything happened in your life to cause you to doubt God? Don’t think for a second God will throw His holy fist down on the armrest of His throne in anger over such honesty and willingness for confirmation of the truth of who He is or His involvement with your life. He already knows what you are thinking. A hard heart trying to conceal doubts will disappoint Him and give a foothold to the devil.

John doubted after all he had experienced. He took it to Jesus where his question would be safe. Jesus praised him. We do not have an insecure, tyrant God who zaps us or shelves us when we need strengthening. Our God is prepared for our emotions. Psalm 139:1-4 tells us He perceives our thoughts. He is familiar with all of our ways. He knows every word before it is on our tongues. He already knows so we can be who we really are with Him. We do not have to pretend or deny it.

In Matthew 11:4-6, Jesus answered John’s question by saying, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Jesus did not tell John simply, “I’m the Messiah.” Jesus illustrated His title through the proof of His actions instead of stating His title with only words. Jesus was saying that He fulfilled the Messianic prophecies that describe His duties like in Isaiah 29:18-19, Isaiah 35:5-6, and Isaiah 61:1. You see, in Jesus’ eastern culture they would describe a truth in pictures or metaphors. Our western culture expresses a truth through words, bullet points, and definitions. Being fully eastern, John understood a picture reply. Additionally, since Jewish boys were educated and memorized large sections of the Torah, the Psalms, and the prophets, John understood the meaning of the picture words. Jesus painted His self-portrait that showed He was the Messiah.

Soon King Herod would succumb to his lusts and promise his brother’s wife’s daughter anything she desired after her provocative dance for him. Tragically, the gift was the life of the prophet who boldly spoke the truth of her mother’s sins (Matthew 14:1-12). Sadly, the mother thought if she squashed the voice of the truth that spotlighted her sin, then things would be better. Silencing the audible voice of truth never changes the truth, though. If only she had softened her heart and accepted the other truth John offered. If she had repented, then she would have received forgiveness which brings abundant life. Praise God, John did not die without asking his questions and receiving some answers – and some unsolicited praise by the highest opinion of the Anointed One he had proclaimed unashamedly. He was open to Jesus with doubts and Jesus settled them. God can settle our doubts, too – only if we let Him. Let’s take our doubts to Him.

Pray with me: Oh, God, You know the areas of our lives where we doubt that You care or are involved. You also know the times when we doubt who You are. We wonder if You are really good all the time. We question why did something bad happen to those who love You. So we bring our doubts to You and ask You to settle them. You are sovereign, and You are Lord of all. It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.

Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study