"Are You the One?"

 

If there was anyone who knew who Jesus was, it was John, the Baptist. He leaped in his mother's womb at the sound of Mary's voice (Luke 1:39-45). He was the Forerunner, sent to prepare the hearts of the people for the Messiah's arrival (Luke 1:13-17; 3:1-6). He announced Jesus as "The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world." He also baptized Jesus, saw the heavens open, the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, and the voice of God declaring, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased" (Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-34).

Yet, from the darkness of prison where Herod, the king, had cast him for speaking the truth, John sought reassurance. "Are You the One Who is to come, or should we look for someone else?" It is likely that John, the one whose destiny was prophesied by Isaiah and Malachi  hundreds of years before his birth, in the darkness and isolation of prison, struggled with or was even tormented by doubts similar to the ones we have today. Doubts which are triggered by difficult circumstances: doubts about who God is. Doubts about what He told us. Doubts about His promises and whether He will do what He said He would do.

Thankfully, John's doubts did not earn him an "F" with Jesus and neither will ours. Let us, like John, express our doubts to Him. As He did to John, He will respond to us with the same compassion and gives us what we need to strengthen and renew our faith. Be encouraged.