by Pastor Steve Ellison
Have you ever doubted yourself? A decision that you made? Have you ever felt all alone? Has your faith ever been weak? Have you ever wondered if your big mouth said too much? Have you ever felt persecuted? Have you ever passed through a long dark, dark, dark valley? In the pitch black did you wonder where Jesus was and what He was doing? Did you wonder why you were still in the darkness? If you must answer yes to any of these questions, you are in pretty good company. The one whom Jesus declared to be the greatest among men had these very same doubts. Those doubts led him to turn to the only one who could ease the pain and put an end to the merciless worrying.
John the Baptist, the very one who announced the identity of Jesus Messiah to the world, found himself in a very dark place. He, who was the prophesied forerunner of the Christ, found himself wondering if he was mistaken. Those doubts drove him to ask a most important question that every man, woman, and child ought to ask, “Are you the Expected One or should we look for another?” (Luke 7:19) Actually John had to send the question by others because he was locked in a dungeon for condemning Herod Antipas for stealing his brother’s wife. The free man of the wilderness was being held in an underground prison. Is it any wonder that John was doubting himself and his Master? When John’s disciples asked the question of Jesus, His answer was immediate, decisive, and miraculous.
Luke 7:20-23, When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?'” 21 At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. 22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. 23 “Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.” (NASU) The healings and the good news being preached are an explicit fulfillment of at least three Old Testament prophecies about the Promised Messiah, the Expected One. Jesus answered the heartbreaking cry of John immediately and lovingly in word and deed. Jesus is not offended by the sincere cries for help and assurance from sincere seekers.
When we wind up in a dungeon of doubts, we ought to realize that we hold the key, and no one is guarding the door. Turning to Jesus is the key. If we will only turn to Him and cry out for help, He will answer. He is indeed the Expected One. Blessed is he who does not take offense at Him. Jesus is the line upon which the whole world is divided. Either we are in Christ or we are not. Jesus is the Cornerstone, the sure foundation, for those who have trusted Him. Jesus is the Stumbling Stone, which will crush those who have rejected Him. If you have doubts about the meaning of life, your circumstances, heaven, hell, etc. cry out to Jesus in prayer. He will answer. Also, read about Him in the Bible. He will not disappoint. Your doubts and fears will be appeased. He is the Expected One, in fact I am expecting Him soon.
