Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
Nothing is more fickle and forgetful than the human heart and mind. We hear and see truth on a daily basis but when trial comes, it brings doubt with it. Here was John the Baptist, who exclaimed at first sight that Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. That was when he was baptizing multitudes. When he was in prison he wondered if Jesus was a fraud.
How faithless was John the Baptist, we proudly pontificate. That is, until we take an honest look at our lives. What do we do when the car won’t start, when our bodies break down, when our relationships sour? Often, if not always, we wonder where God is. After a major disaster, scoffers ask where God is in the midst of such suffering. Scoffers, John the Baptist, and ourselves, need to remember that, where God is in the midst of suffering is right there with us in the midst of suffering. See his love and believe today.
Dear Lord, thank you that you never leave or forsake your people. Help us to remember this in our weakest moments and be strengthened by your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church