If John the Baptist were sitting here with me right now, he would probably say, “Oh Shellster! I can so relate to that!” Because John the Baptist had his moment of “Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief!”
Do you remember that? John was in prison awaiting the executioner’s sword. His life didn’t end up the way he thought it would. The first chapter of Luke describes John as the one who will go before Jesus, in the spirit and power of Elijah. Do recall how Elijah left this earth? He was translated from earth to heaven. In other words, he didn’t die. He was take up to heaven alive. But, now John the Baptist’s EARTHLY life is about to end tragically and violently. Not exactly an Elijah ending. Not exactly how he thought his life would end.
Luke chapter 7 tells the account of how John called for his closest friends to come to him. And when his friends gathered around him he said, “I want you to go Jesus and ask Him, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Pretty amazing question coming from the man whose sole purpose was to prepare the way for the Lord. This coming from the man who saw first hand, the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove. And now, in his humanness, he simply needs assurance that Jesus really is who he says he is.
So, his friends went to Jesus and asked Him, “John wants to know if you are who you said you are.”
The Bible tells us that immediately Jesus began perform miracles.
Making the blind to see.
The deaf to hear.
The lame to walk.
And then Jesus turned to John’s friends and said, “Now go to John and tell Him what you have seen today.”
Then, the most extraordinary declaration takes place. Jesus turns to the crowd and calls John the Baptist “the greatest man ever born to a woman!”
John’s life didn’t end up the way he imagined or hoped it would. And ... my guess is, for many of us, things haven’t ended up the way we imagined or hoped it would, either. We never expected to experience rejection, loss, betrayal, deep hurt, pain, deep disappointments, senseless circumstances.
Do you know what I love about John the Baptist? When he needed assurance and peace, and comfort, he went to the source, the very Rock of Ages! Jesus, Himself.
And guess what?
Jesus, wasn’t put off by John’s questions ... and ... John got the assurance and answers he was looking for.
When (and I do mean, WHEN) something doesn't turn out the way we hoped, and we need assurance, comfort and peace, we need to run to the Rock. Sit at His feet. Bask in His presence. Invite the Holy Spirit to comfort your heart and mind.
Submerge ourselves in the pages of God’s Living, breathing Word. His Word has everything we need.
“This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life." Psalm 119:50
Do you need comfort? He is the great Comforter! (John 14:15-18)
Do you feel forgotten? “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." - Isaiah 49:15-16
Do you need peace? He is the peace-giver! (Isaiah 26:3)
Do you need healing? He is Jehovah-Rapha! (Isaiah 61:1-3)
Do you feel hopeless? He IS Hope. (1 Peter 1:3-9)
God will never be put off by your questions and heartfelt pleas. HE will sustain you and give you exactly what you need if you will simply take Him at His Word and go the Rock of your Salvation.
I would love to hear your thoughts and would be honored to pray for you. Comment here, or message me privately. mailto:[email protected]