Matthew 11: 3 “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
The above question seemed very familiar to most Christians. When persecutions, sufferings and troubles come into our lives, we begin to question, "Why does God let this happen to me?". "Is God real, have I made a mistake believing in Him?" We have all together forgot or ignore the corresponding clear biblical teaching that the glory of knowing our Lord Jesus is intertwined with the priviledge of suffering with Him (the fellowship of His sufferings).
John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ but yet he was imprisoned. Was it God's juggement on Him? Perhaps Christ was not the Messiah because there were many false prophets in Israel and John could had recognize wrongly. Had he led the people astray? He was confused. He started to question: "Is He the One?" Similarly, when we are in severe trials, we just cannot think straight.
When John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
Jesus plainly tell the disciples: “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 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. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
John the Baptist was very familiar with the Book of Isaiah and he would immediately recognize Isaiah’s prophecy in those words. This promise would bring the peace John needed to sustain him for the few difficult days he had remaining.
Reflection: We can learn to be like John the Baptist. When we are in trials, we can learn not to pass our doubts to other but come straight to Jesus personally and tell Him about our doubts. His words are just reassuring and sufficient to strengthen us to go through the trials. We can truly find comfort in His words.
The above question seemed very familiar to most Christians. When persecutions, sufferings and troubles come into our lives, we begin to question, "Why does God let this happen to me?". "Is God real, have I made a mistake believing in Him?" We have all together forgot or ignore the corresponding clear biblical teaching that the glory of knowing our Lord Jesus is intertwined with the priviledge of suffering with Him (the fellowship of His sufferings).
John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ but yet he was imprisoned. Was it God's juggement on Him? Perhaps Christ was not the Messiah because there were many false prophets in Israel and John could had recognize wrongly. Had he led the people astray? He was confused. He started to question: "Is He the One?" Similarly, when we are in severe trials, we just cannot think straight.
When John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
Jesus plainly tell the disciples: “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 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. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
John the Baptist was very familiar with the Book of Isaiah and he would immediately recognize Isaiah’s prophecy in those words. This promise would bring the peace John needed to sustain him for the few difficult days he had remaining.
Reflection: We can learn to be like John the Baptist. When we are in trials, we can learn not to pass our doubts to other but come straight to Jesus personally and tell Him about our doubts. His words are just reassuring and sufficient to strengthen us to go through the trials. We can truly find comfort in His words.
Indeed, I heard someone said that our suffering is the mark of our faith.
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