Luke 7:20

New King James Version

When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ”

For Encouragement

Isaiah prophesied about him years before his birth (Isaiah 40:3-4). The old priest, Zechariah, thought the angel Gabriel had the address wrong when he came to announce John’s birth to him and his wife Elizabeth when he was ministering in the temple (Luke 1:8-20). But he should have known better.

The history of the grand patriarch of Israel, Abraham, and Sarah, his wife, should have reminded him of God’s ability to renew the strength of older adults to bear children (Genesis 18: 10-15; 21:1-3). Zechariah, therefore, failed the test of faith and endured the judgment of God (Luke 1:20).

So, they named him John, the name Gabriel instructed Zechariah to give to the child to be born to them in old age (57-63). The neighbors celebrated with them, and, seeing the wonder of his birth and the miraculous opening of Zechariah’s mouth, they went away wondering what manner of child he would be (66).

John has begun his ministry, calling the nation to repentance and baptism (Matthew 3:1-3). Is he Elijah, the Prophet, or the Messiah, the nation wondered? (John 1: 19-21). His voice was resolute in response (23-27).

[I am] The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’

 Meanwhile, Mary’s manger-baby had grown up. He also came to be baptized by John in the Jordan, but John tried to deter Him (Matthew 3:13). Jesus insisted, and they fulfilled righteousness when John baptized Him (15). As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, the heaven opened; the Spirit descended like a dove on him, and a voice from heaven said,

This is my Son, whom I love, of whom I am well pleased (16-17).

The next day, as Jesus came towards John, he, John, testified,

Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29).

John testified to the Messiahship of Jesus. He came to baptize by water so that, through the process, God would reveal Christ to Israel. That happened at Jesus’s baptism. By three signs, God revealed Jesus to John: the opening of heaven, the descent of the Holy Spirit like a dove and remaining on Jesus, and the Father’s own voice announcing Jesus as His Son (29-34). So, John resolutely said,

“I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

Why, then, is John second-guessing himself in Herod’s prison? Why the doubt? Where is his confidence?

The crucible is cruel and torturous. It dampens the spirits of the holiest of saints in adversity and exasperates their confidence. From Abraham through the prophets, many of God’s faithful have encountered bumps along the path of faith, and John the Baptist was no exception. He was as human as all of us.

The Lord understood the faltering faith of John. Why wouldn’t Jesus deliver him, or at least visit him in prison, if indeed He is the Messiah he identified? Did he get it right?

So, what is your crucible today? Where are you in your trials and tribulations? How unconcerned and distant, do you think, Christ has been to you? Why the anxiety? Where is your faith?

Take heart, child of God. The Lord knows your vulnerability and critical situation now. Be confident that He is with you and has sustained you till now. He has sustained you with His undergirding mighty right hand and will continue to uphold you.

Have faith in Jesus, and may His submission in Gethsemane reassure and strengthen you to say, “Not my will, but yours, O Lord!” 

Shalom