JULY 10, 2012
It’s Okay To Ask
Read: Luke 7:18-28
Go and
tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the
lame
walk, . . . the poor have the gospel preached to them. —Luke
7:22
It’s perfectly natural for fear and doubt to creep into our
minds at times.
“What if heaven isn’t real after all?” “Is Jesus the only way
to God?” “Will
it matter in the end how I lived my life?” Questions like these
should not
be given quick or trite responses.
John the Baptist, whom Jesus called the greatest of the prophets
(Luke 7:28), had questions shortly before his execution (v.19). He wanted
to
know for sure that Jesus was the Messiah and that his own ministry
had
therefore been valid.
Jesus’ response is a comforting model for us to use. Instead of
discounting
the doubt or criticizing John, Jesus pointed to the miracles He was
doing.
As eyewitnesses, John’s disciples could return with vivid assurances for
their
mentor. But He did more—He used words and phrases (v.22) drawn from
Isaiah’s prophecies of the coming Messiah (Isa. 35:4-6; 61:1), which were
certain to be familiar to John.
Then, turning to the crowd, Jesus praised John (Luke 7:24-28),
removing
any doubt that He was offended by John’s need for reassurance after
all
he had seen (Matt. 3:13-17).
Questioning and doubting, both understandable human responses,
are opportunities to remind, reassure, and comfort those who are
shaken by
uncertainty.
When my poor soul in doubt is cast
And darkness hides the Savior’s face,
His love and truth still hold me fast
For He will keep me by His grace. —D. De Haan
Reassurance comes as we doubt our doubts and
believe our beliefs.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2012
