Doubt
70o years before he was born, the greatest prophet who ever lived foretold his coming. The last two verses of our Old Testament concern him. The angel, Gabriel, prepared his mother and father for his arrival and gave him his name. He spent his ministry decrying the wicked and pompous, speaking of the coming Christ, never deviating from the path on which he was set by God Himself.Which is why it's so surprising to hear him utter words of doubt.
Call it what you will, explain it away if you wish, but when John the Baptist is in prison and he sends his messengers to Jesus to ask that question, it is to assuage his own doubt.
"Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
Why doubt, if you were told by God Himself to prepare the way for the Messiah? Maybe it was John's circumstances, imprisoned by the ruler who he had denounced for having his brother's wife. He may have been in such a state of fear and despair that he had lost the assurance of his purpose. Or possibly he was confused as to Jesus' methods. Perhaps he, like all the Jews, was waiting for the King to come with force and overthrow the oppressors. It could be that he wanted his cousin fighting, not healing.
Who knows? What matters is this: The greatest among us can doubt. And God understands.
After Jesus heard John's question, he said,
"What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
Hardly words of disappointment or anger. God knows that we will have our moments of doubt, He expects them even. And He rewards our faith. He answers our prayers. He lifts us up.
posted by Thurman8er @ 3:36 PM
3 Comments:
Your blog reminded me of how I felt towards God when my Dad died. Not only did I doubt God I was down right (southern phrase) angry with Him! Greg, my wife, and others in the church were instrumental in loving me through a time when I was very un-loveable.
My counsel to folks who go through the same emotions with God when they experience a death or divorce is to not be ashamed of their emotions. For when we question God it demonstrates that we have a relationship with him.
ejbep (Southern pronunciation of Egypt.
Isn't it amazing that Jesus dubbed John as the greatest of all the prophets, yet said the least in the Kingdom was even greater than John?
John had a right to doubt. Jesus wasn't meeting his expectations. John didn't understand the suffering which would lead to glory. He HAD to have understood that the prophets were always rejected (it was the pattern) but he had to wonder why the Messiah was being so discreet.
In opposition to John, we understand the cross. Unlike him, we have the resurrection... And the Ascension. Perhaps these assurances help us in our time of doubt, much like Jesus' miracles gave John hope.
It is interesting Steve and quite comforting. John doubted Jesus because Jesus was not living up to his expectations. We are quite familiar with that scenario.
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