What doubts might we face similar to John's in Matthew 11:3? Setting the Scene Matthew 11:3 records John’s disciples asking Jesus, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?”. John, once so certain, is now confined in prison, confused about why the Messiah he heralded has not brought the expected judgment or deliverance. Why John’s Question Matters • John knew Scripture and had witnessed the Spirit descend on Jesus (John 1:32-34). • Yet crushing circumstances (Herod’s dungeon) clouded his perspective. • His expectations of a conquering Messiah (Matthew 3:11-12) seemed unmet. Doubts We Might Face That Echo John’s • When suffering lingers—cancer, unemployment, relational heartbreak—and Jesus seems silent. • When evil prospers and justice is delayed—“If Christ reigns, why do tyrants thrive?” (Psalm 73:3-13). • When prayers go unanswered and we wonder if another solution, philosophy, or “messiah” might work faster. • When cultural voices challenge the uniqueness of Christ—“Is Jesus really the only way?” (Acts 4:12). • When God’s timing differs from ours—“How long, O LORD?” (Psalm 13:1). • When personal expectations of how God should act collide with His sovereign plan (Isaiah 55:8-9). Underlying Roots of Those Doubts • Pain narrows vision to the immediate. • Misinterpreting promises—expecting kingdom glory now instead of the cross-shaped path (Luke 24:26). • Spiritual fatigue or isolation, like John cut off from his former ministry. • Influence of skeptics or media that belittle biblical claims (2 Peter 3:3-4). • Forgetting past evidences of Christ’s faithfulness. How Jesus Responds to Doubt Matthew 11:4-5: “Go, report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are preached the gospel.” • He points to fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 35:5-6; 61:1). • He offers observable evidence, not mere sentiment. • He gently blesses perseverance: “Blessed is the one who does not stumble on account of Me.” (Matthew 11:6) Practical Helps When Similar Doubts Arise • Rehearse Christ’s works—read Gospel accounts; recall personal testimonies. • Anchor expectations in the whole counsel of Scripture, not selective passages. • Seek fellowship; isolation magnifies uncertainty (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Acknowledge pain honestly—Scripture never shames a hurting heart (Habakkuk 1:2-4). • Wait with hope, trusting His timing and ultimate victory (2 Peter 3:8-9). • Focus on Jesus’ identity, not immediate circumstances—“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Encouragement for Today John’s momentary doubt did not cancel his calling; Jesus honored him as “more than a prophet” (Matthew 11:9-11). Likewise, honest questions do not disqualify us. They can drive us back to the evidence of who Jesus is, deepening our confidence that we do not need to look for another. |
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