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Hear the devotional here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/Is-It-Okay-to-Doubt-e1rombr
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 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. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 7 As John’s disciples were leaving, 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? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:2-11 NIV)
My first year of college I had a cool friend. He had a cool name and dressed as if he was the cover boy of Preppy Magazine. He wore turtle neck shirts and smoked a pipe. He also was funny. Whenever we were walking to class and a girl would approach, he would smile and as she passed out of earshot, he would say softly, "Are you the one who is to come, or should I expect another?" It was clever and wonderful. Did I mention he was pre-ministerial?
John the Baptist and his bold criticism of Herod landed him in jail. Herod feared him and Who he represented, but we know the rest of the story; but his time in jail gave him time to think and as a result of an idle time, he finds himself doubting in Jesus, even as he hears of the incredible things that Jesus is doing. Doubt in humans is a normal, but sometimes, troubling thing, even as we hear proof or evidence of the very things that drew us to faith in the first place. John doubts Jesus as he hears "About the deeds of the Messiah," and seeks to ask Jesus through His disciples about Jesus and His ministry. Jesus' reply is simple and straight forward; "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." Jesus further adds, "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me." We humans are funny. We find it easier to believe when all is well with us. But come the first sign of woe or trouble, we let fear move faith just enough to allow doubt to come into our lives. The late Mother Theresa was said to have had doubts towards the end of her life, as have so many others, who aware of their upcoming death begin to doubt all that served them well during life. We don't condemn these, but we become aware that no human is perfect, and as scripture has told us, "All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God."
We must note that Jesus did not condemn John's lack of faith; quite the opposite, He tells the crowd about John and his life of faithfulness, calling John more than a prophet, a fulfillment of scriptural prophecy about who it was written, "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you," adding that of all men born to women, there has not been anyone greater than John the Baptist, adding that even now, "Whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
This re-affirms that we are not condemned and our service to God is negated because of times of doubt; God made us creatures of free-will and God knows better than anyone that we might spend some time with or in doubt; but God also offers us a way out if we would but ask. It's our choice. I believe we will live better by choosing our way out of doubt.
PRAYER: Loving God of faith and freedom; guide us to the places where You would have us be. Bless those of us in doubt find the way out; for those of us about to enter the gates of doubt, guide us to faithfulness; for those in fear and despair guide them out into the light of freedom and power; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Leave a life of despair and walk towards faith.
Receive my blessings of love and hope,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
