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In Luke chapter 7, after receiving a report from his disciples of the things Jesus had been doing and teaching, John the Baptist expressed doubt.
Specifically, John doubted the identity of Jesus.
Luke 7:19 says, “calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’”
Of all people to express doubt about the identity of Jesus, John the Baptist seems the least likely.
He’s the cousin of Jesus.
He was the forerunner, the one to prepare the way for Jesus—the one who told others of the identity of Jesus after He appeared.
He was the one to baptize Jesus. He’d heard the voice of God from heaven speak the words, “This is my Son in whom I’m well pleased.”
John the Baptist was also a man willing to go to prison on account of his faith.
This is certainly not a man you’d suspect to doubt the identity of Jesus.
Upon first read, it’s confusing to see a man and leader such as John doubt the very person he was leading others to follow.
Perhaps your first thoughts about John are similar to mine. Thoughts like, “You should know better! Look at all God has done in and through your life because of who Jesus is.”
For me, these thoughts are the first to come to mind concerning John, as they are also the thoughts that often come to mind concerning myself when having a moment of doubt or struggle.
I grew up in church.
I’ve had a faithful example of what it means to be a woman of Godly surrender in my life since I was 13.
I surrendered my life to Christ at age 18.
I’ve grown to know, experience, and walk with God personally for myself since this point.
I’m a pastor’s wife, yet I still struggle.
In those moments, I’m tempted to doubt who God is and/or if He will do what He’s said He’s going to do.
Why?
For the same reasons I believe John the Baptist was doubting here.
#1 His Circumstances – In this account, John’s disciples are visiting him while he’s in prison.
#2 Seeing a lack of personal deliverance in his situation while hearing about the deliverance and healing Jesus was bringing to others freely and frequently.
I don’t know about you, but it seems these two things are keys that have and do unlock doubt in my Christian walk.
Thankfully, Jesus responds much more graciously than I respond to John the Baptist upon first read or than I generally respond to myself when having similar moments.
John’s disciples go to Jesus and tell Him of John’s doubt in the midst of a large, mixed crowd.
Jesus proceeded to bring healing to many physically, mentally, and emotionally. Each act Jesus performs through the power of the Holy Spirit were things prophesied in the Old Testament that the Messiah would do when He came.
This means that when John’s disciples went back for another cell visit to share with him the things Jesus did here, it would have served as a reminder of the Word to John.
It would have been proof that Jesus is who He says He is, the one John had preached about—the Word proving true.
After doing these things, Jesus advocates to a confused crowd as to who John is based on what the Word says about him.
Full stop.
The main thing that struck me in my study this time is this: In the midst of John’s doubt, Jesus becomes his advocate—his defense.
The same is true for us. 1 John tells us that these things (the Bible) were written for our instruction, but that when we sin we have an advocate with the Father.
Part of Jesus’s advocating for us comes in the form of praying for us while seated on the throne.
This means that in the midst of the struggle or even our doubt, Jesus serves as our present help, advocating to the Father on our behalf that we may be reminded of and walk in the Truth again.
As the old hymn goes, “Oh, how I love Jesus!”
The last thing Jesus does is instruct John’s disciples to remind him that He (Jesus) is greater than him.
This may seem like a negative thing, but it’s quite the opposite. Knowing Jesus is greater allows me to overcome doubt as I know…
He’s greater than how I feel in the moment or the doubt I’ve had
It does not depend on me
Romans 8:1-2 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
Jesus demonstrates that here in Luke chapter 7. Let Jesus’s way of addressing doubt be a model for us when we approach our own doubt or the doubt of a friend.
Act and speak in gentleness
Remind ourselves or our friend of what God says about Himself and how He’s proven Himself true to us and/or to others in the Word
Speak/pray the truth concerning what God’s Word says about our heavenly identity
Surrender to the one who’s greater
Let’s draw near to the one who holds and sees us as dear and continues to advocate for us even when we’re struggling.
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