John the Baptist was Jesus’s beloved cousin. They had known each other since before birth, they had most likely played together and gone to the temple together. They probably had family gatherings together and attended the Jewish festivals together. John knew Jesus. He knew the prophecies. He WAS one of the prophecies. Yet in his suffering he questioned, he even doubted a little who Jesus was.
Matthew 11:2-3, 5-11 ESV
[2] Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples [3] and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
[5] the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. [6] And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
Many want to criticize John for his question to Jesus. They say that he doubted God and that we should be stronger than him and more secure in our faith. That’s crazy. Who among us is stronger in their faith and commitment to Jesus then John was? I am glad that we have this account of John’s doubt, because it reminds us that questioning where our faith stands does not make Jesus angry with us. He loves us. He understood John’s pain and probably his fear, the man was being held without bail by a king that could kill him on a whim, which he ends up doing. We are not told if John was tortured, by knowing Herod’s past it would not be a large jump for us to think that our favorite locus and honey eating friend was probably suffering. John, in a moment of need, sent his followers to ask of Jesus if He truly was the Messiah. This is important to take note of. Yes it is okay to have questions and it is normal to sometimes doubt. But when that happens, search for your answers in the right place. John went straight to Jesus, and Jesus answered with not just words, by accounts of the signs and wonders that showed Him to be God.
When you doubt. When your suffering leads you to question if God is really there. Don’t go to the internet. Don’t go to the media. Don’t go to anyone but Jesus. Search His word and see His promises. Pray and speak to Him about it directly. When things hurt and are confusing, run to the Light.
[7] As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. [9] What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [10] This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ [11] Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
John’s doubt was very public because of how and when his followers questioned Jesus. Jesus knew what people would be thinking. So, He turned to the crowds and kept them from judging and doubting John. He made sure people knew that John was sent as a prophet by God. That John had been chosen and used for God’s glory. That John had given no thought or accord to his own life, but instead had followed God’s direction, denying himself and making the way for Jesus’s ministry. Then Jesus goes a step a further and says the one who is the least in the kingdom of Heaven is still greater than John. Jesus was making it clear that among those who stood and judged John for his doubt, not one of them was anywhere near John’s equal. He then went even further than THAT and said that those who have been saved by faith in Him are greater even than John. Jesus was always pointing people back to the one way to Heaven. Are we saved? Do we truly believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven? Yes. We follow the one true King. Someday we will meet John in Heaven and speak with him and get to know him as Jesus knew him. Imagine the stories he will tell. Do not let your fear and doubt steal you faith. Jesus is king, but He is also the only one will ever truly love you and He wants to save you if you will only turn to Him.
Carried in the cross 