ESOCS Devotional 18 January 2025 – John Has Doubts
MEMORY VERSE: “And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:3
TEXT: MATTHEW 11:1-15
Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written:
‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
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Due to his courageous denunciation of Herod’s adulterous liaison with Herodias (Mk. 6:17), John the Baptist was thrown into prison. In that lonely confinement, John heard of the “works of Christ.” He sent a message to Jesus, asking: “Are you he that comes, or should we be looking for another?” (Mt. 11:3). When John asks: “Shall we look for another?” he employs the term heteros, which suggests “another of a different sort.” Had the Lord not fulfilled John’s expectations? Had the Baptizer hoped that Jesus would be a different kind of ruler, and perhaps usher in a political regime? This was a longing entertained by many Jews (Jn. 6:15; Acts 1:6). This is a distinct possibility. In your margin, note the significance of heteros.
This text demonstrates that even a great and brave person can have moments of confusion. Earlier, John had emphatically affirmed his confidence in Jesus as the Son of God (Jn. 1:29). But the great prophet has gone through much trial. His faith was being sorely tested (or perhaps more accurately, his patience).
Why was he in this dismal prison? Where was the judgment that Christ promised to render upon evil-doers? John had honest inquiries, and he was not afraid to pose them. We can be assured that when we have troubling questions, it does not mean that we have lost faith; it just means we need some answers.
Jesus told John to compare His miracles with what the Scriptures had prophesied (Isa. 35; 61). The evidence for the identity of Christ was compelling. Old Testament prophecy is adequate to prove the Lord’s divine nature. Note this point.
Dearly beloved, regardless of the situation you find yourself, please don’t doubt God. John did this mistake and it caused him his head. And Jesus said unto him, no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God (Lk. 9:62).
CHALLENGES
- Doubting God is a serious sin. Don’t indulge in it; it is not safe to do so.
PRAYER POINT
- Lord Jesus, help me to always rely on you and never to doubt you anymore. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 24:1-end; Matthew 11:16-end
ESOCS Devotional 18 January 2025
