John the Baptist

September 23

Luke 7:18-23

“Are You the one?”

King Herod had put John the Baptist in prison. While John was in prison, some of his followers went to tell him about the miracles Jesus was doing. Then John sent them to ask Jesus if He was really the One sent from God, or if they should expect someone else.

When John’s messengers found Jesus, they asked Him, “Are you really the One whom the prophet spoke about, or should we keep on looking for someone else?”

Jesus answered them, “Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard. The blind can see, the lame can walk, the deaf can hear, those who have leprosy are cured, and even the dead are raised to life. And tell him how even the poor have heard the Good News of God’s love.

How happy are those who have no doubts about me.”

Is it a sin to doubt?

Everyone has doubts. If you were absolutely certain about everything, you would never need to exercise your faith. Without doubt there is no need for faith.

Doubts that help us look for answers can lead to faith when we look for the answers in the right place—the Bible.

Doubts that get us to disobey or take our eyes off Jesus, lead to sin. The Bible says that the person who keeps on doubting is like a wave that is tossed about by the wind (James 1:6).

John was in prison. He wasn’t able to see the miracles that Jesus was doing. He may also have wondered why Jesus didn’t do a miracle to get him out. But John did something about the doubts that troubled him. He sent his followers to find out the truth from Jesus.

Verse for today        

Jesus said, "… Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29b