This Week in the Word
Luke 7:18…
John the Baptist had been arrested by Herod because John had the backbone to speak out against Herod’s sin which was an affront to God a terrible example for those he ruled over.
John, being who he was, was unafraid to speak out. John is the classic example of speaking truth to power. Some say in this day we should ignore political issues and only share the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. John didn’t know that.
Herod objected to John speaking out publicly about his obvious adultery and had him arrested and jailed.
The Bible tells us when Jesus heard of John’s arrest He left for the region of Galilee.
Now we delve into the arena of expectations. Languishing in prison, his ministry abruptly and completely cut off, John voices some obvious concerns about his condition. He had grown impatient over his expectation if Jesus knew about where he was He would certainly come and rescue him.
After all, John had been arrested for righteousness’ sake. And for goodness sake shouldn’t a reasonable expectation be some sort of reprieve from prison – if for no other reason than his ministry be continued?
Since he hadn’t been rescued, John lapsed into an understandable doubt over whether Jesus was the Messiah. This may sound incredible to us, or it may sound very familiar.
The disciples of John, having witnessed all Jesus was accomplishing in Galilee, visited John in prison and reported to him all the things they saw Jesus doing.
In the midst of emotional and spiritual turmoil over his present situation, John sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask him the question his heart was overwhelmed by – even though in reality he already knew the answer to the question he was asking: “Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
This question may seem absurd given John’s prior forthright public declarations of Who Jesus was, but this man is nothing if not honest. He is as forthright about expressing his growing doubt, as he had been about speaking of Herod’s sin.
Pastor Bill
John the Baptist had been arrested by Herod because John had the backbone to speak out against Herod’s sin which was an affront to God a terrible example for those he ruled over.
John, being who he was, was unafraid to speak out. John is the classic example of speaking truth to power. Some say in this day we should ignore political issues and only share the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. John didn’t know that.
Herod objected to John speaking out publicly about his obvious adultery and had him arrested and jailed.
The Bible tells us when Jesus heard of John’s arrest He left for the region of Galilee.
Now we delve into the arena of expectations. Languishing in prison, his ministry abruptly and completely cut off, John voices some obvious concerns about his condition. He had grown impatient over his expectation if Jesus knew about where he was He would certainly come and rescue him.
After all, John had been arrested for righteousness’ sake. And for goodness sake shouldn’t a reasonable expectation be some sort of reprieve from prison – if for no other reason than his ministry be continued?
Since he hadn’t been rescued, John lapsed into an understandable doubt over whether Jesus was the Messiah. This may sound incredible to us, or it may sound very familiar.
The disciples of John, having witnessed all Jesus was accomplishing in Galilee, visited John in prison and reported to him all the things they saw Jesus doing.
In the midst of emotional and spiritual turmoil over his present situation, John sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask him the question his heart was overwhelmed by – even though in reality he already knew the answer to the question he was asking: “Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
This question may seem absurd given John’s prior forthright public declarations of Who Jesus was, but this man is nothing if not honest. He is as forthright about expressing his growing doubt, as he had been about speaking of Herod’s sin.
Pastor Bill