It’s
perfectly natural for fear and doubt to creep into our minds at times. “What if
heaven isn’t real after all?” “Is Jesus the only way to God?” “Will it matter
in the end how I lived my life?” Questions like these should not be given quick
or trite responses.
John the
Baptist, whom Jesus called the greatest of the prophets (Luke 7:28), had
questions shortly before his execution (v.19). He wanted to know for sure that
Jesus was the Messiah and that his own ministry had therefore been valid.
Jesus’
response is a comforting model for us to use. Instead of discounting the doubt
or criticizing John, Jesus pointed to the miracles He was doing. As
eyewitnesses, John’s disciples could return with vivid assurances for their
mentor. But He did more—He used words and phrases (v.22) drawn from Isaiah’s
prophecies of the coming Messiah (Isa. 35:4-6; 61:1), which were certain to be
familiar to John.
Then,
turning to the crowd, Jesus praised John (Luke 7:24-28), removing any doubt
that He was offended by John’s need for reassurance after all he had seen
(Matt. 3:13-17).
Questioning
and doubting, both understandable human responses, are opportunities to remind,
reassure, and comfort those who are shaken by uncertainty.
Reassurance
comes as we doubt our doubts and believe our beliefs. (RBC)
