Doubting John ∙∙

Doubting John ∙∙

When the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law – Galatians 4:4

Isaiah 35:3-6

3 Strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.
4 Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”

5 And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf.
6 The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.

We are all familiar with the enchanting cycles of growth and transformation that nature so gracefully undergoes. As Autumn sets in, vegetation retreats into a restful slumber, bracing for the chill of winter. But with Spring’s return, a gentle symphony of warmth, lengthening daylight, and nourishing rain rekindle life, stirring the world with renewed energy. Sometimes, these natural “seasons” can be unpredictable.

Beneath the sandy expanses of the Mojave Desert, countless seeds of wildflowers lie hidden, patiently waiting. When conditions align perfectly, a breathtaking array of vibrant wildflowers bursts forth, painting the landscape with a dazzling display of color and beauty.

For this arid desert to undergo such a stunning transformation, it requires both generous rainfall and the gentle embrace of the sun’s warmth at just the right moment. Absent these conditions, the desert is just a desert.

Our lives often mirror this cycle. They are often parched and dry, seemingly without end. During such difficult times, many of us have grave doubts regarding the love and presence of our heavenly Father. We often wrestle with severe skepticism. When we get pushed against the wall, our doubts become so great we may even doubt the truth of our faith.

Yet, we tend to forget that the Father orchestrates both the visible cycles and the hidden seeds of life. His divine clock controls the timing of the events of our lives. At the fullness of time, we bloom.

The Father created time and placed people in it so that we experience sequence and change. While we perceive time sequentially, for the Father, everything is always now, and He sees the end from the beginning.

REFLECT & PRAY

Reflecting on my life’s journey, I see periods of barrenness alongside moments of vibrant growth and beauty, and I’ve come to understand that neither is within my control.

Father, I humbly acknowledge Your sovereign hand over all things. You have ordained a time for every purpose under heaven. Please grant me the courage to stand steadfast through the droughts and uncertainties.

INSIGHT

There are times when life baffles us, presenting situations that seem to defy logic and understanding. We just don’t get it. In these moments, it is easy to feel lost and bewildered. Yet, the unseen hand of a loving Father is always at work, guiding us. Suddenly, we find ourselves perfectly positioned, as if by divine appointment, and what unfolds next is nothing short of extraordinary. This mysterious orchestration reminds us to trust in the incredible plans that are beyond our comprehension.

In times of struggle and spiritual drought, the Word of God serves as a beacon of truth, offering solace and encouragement. The Scriptures are filled with beautiful promises, assuring us that a time will come when the Father will make all things right. The Old Testament intricately foretold the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, orchestrated with precision according to the Father’s divine plan, the fullness of time. Among these prophecies were remarkable miracles: the blind would gain sight, the lame would walk, lepers would be cleansed, the deaf would hear, the dead would rise, and the Good News would be proclaimed to the poor (Isaiah 35:4-6).

These miracles, performed by Jesus during His earthly ministry, served as profound evidence of His messianic identity. They were tangible manifestations of supernatural power and authority.

John the Baptist stands out as a singular figure in history, distinct from all others. Many ponder the question, “Who is the greatest person who ever lived?” To this, the Lord Jesus Christ provided a clear answer. In Luke 7:26-28, Jesus emphasized John’s unparalleled role:

“Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the one to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ 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!”

This declaration underscores both John’s unique mission as the forerunner of Christ and the profound transformation brought by the Kingdom of God, a realm where even the least are exalted.

His ministry thrived as he boldly proclaimed the truth, drawing vast crowds who were moved and baptized. His message resonated so profoundly that it reached the ears of Jerusalem’s leaders, prompting them to send envoys to interrogate him (John 1:19-25).

Yet, even amidst his triumphs, John experienced a fleeting shadow of doubt. Confined within the walls of a prison cell, he faced an internal struggle that seemed unimaginable for one so filled with the Spirit and anointed to declare Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29). How could the steadfast forerunner, who was so full of the Spirit and anointed by the Father would question the core message that he had fervently preached regarding the identity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Imagine what it was like for John in prison. The world that he had known had come to an end. “He was a man of the desert, yet he was confined indoors. He was an active man with a divine mandate to preach, yet he was silenced. He had announced judgment, and yet that judgment was slow in coming (Matthew 3:7-12)” (Wiersbe). The harsh reality of mistreatment, the looming threat of death, and the solitude of confinement weighed heavily on his spirit, leaving him downcast and discouraged.

In this moment of vulnerability, John reached out through his disciples with a poignant question for Jesus, one that echoed his inner turmoil and uncertainty:

Luke 7:19 Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?

This inquiry, born from a place of profound struggle, underscores the depth of John’s faith journey and the human experience of doubt, even among the most devoted.

The response to John’s doubts was both swift and precise, affirming the fulfillment of the Father’s promises concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus instructed John’s messengers:

“Return to John and report what you have witnessed: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor” (Luke 7:22).

In His gentle and gracious reply, the Lord Jesus Christ pointed to the evidence of His works, which aligned perfectly with Isaiah’s prophecies about the Messiah. This confirmation provided John with the assurance that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah he had proclaimed to the people of Israel.

Doubts can touch us all. Rather than believing our doubts and doubting our beliefs, we are to believe our beliefs and doubt our doubts. This principle is further illustrated in the dialogue between Jesus and His disciples:

“Who do you say I am?” Jesus asked. Simon Peter responded, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus affirmed, “Blessed are you, Simon son of John, for this revelation did not come from any human, but from my Father in heaven” (Matthew 16:15-17).

Through life’s dry spells and tumultuous storms, we can rely on the Father’s unwavering faithfulness. Just as the arid desert eventually blossoms, there is a time when parched souls bloom! It is the fullness of time. Let us hold firm to this blessed hope, trusting in the Father’s timing that orchestrates our lives.

¯_(ツ)_/¯5-15-2

© Dr. H 2024