MONDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2023
TEXT:
Luke 7:18-35
18:
John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them,
19:
he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we
expect someone else?”
20:
When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask,
‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
21:
At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil
spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.
22:
So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen
and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed
to the poor.
23:
Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
24:
After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John:
“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
25:
If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those
who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.
26:
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a
prophet.
27:
This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of
you, who will prepare your way before you.’
28:
I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet
the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29:
(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words,
acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.
30:
But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves,
because they had not been baptized by John.)
31:
Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this
generation? What are they like?
32:
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each
other: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.’
33:
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say,
‘He has a demon.’
34:
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a
drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
35:
But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”
(New
International Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
IT’S A SIGN OF WISDOM TO APPROACH JESUS WHEN IN DOUBT
When things are not going according to our
expectations, the tendency is to doubt God's promises to us (vs 18, 19).
The
personality of John the Baptist and his faith in Christ are not in doubt (Luke
3:16). But on this occasion, human nature took control of him because of his
condition in prison. If a great man like John can have such doubts, can we
escape them?
However,
John the Baptist applied wisdom because he knew where to go to be reminded of
Jesus' true ministry. He was also aware of the fact that He is the expected
Messiah which he had previously proclaimed to the world on many occasions (see
vs 21, 23 cf. Isaiah 35:18; 35:5-6).
Believers
must apply wisdom in order to know what to do and where to go in times of
doubt, reflecting on all that the Lord had done and is still doing in men's
lives today.
Jesus'
recommendations about John the Baptist strengthened other believers' faith.
QUESTION:
In times of doubt, where do you go for the right counsel or answers?
PRAYER: May divine wisdom guide me to the right place in my moments of doubt, Oh Lord, in Jesus name. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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