Offended

 John the Baptist was a fascinating man and more than a little frightening. A hermit more than anything else, he wandered in from the desert wearing animal skins and eating locusts. He was bold, fearless, and powerfully spoke against the religious hypocrisy of his day and of the sin of those who professed to follow God but proved otherwise by the conduct of their lives. He was a mighty man of God and Jesus Himself said that among men, none were greater than John. We see in him the heart of a warrior and hero, but there's something more, not so evident but there nonetheless. In his great heart there was also present what resides in ours as well.

In Matthew 11, John is in prison. His great heart, courage, and boldness were what got him there. He knew he was staring death in the face, and likely also suspected that he would never leave that cell. A great man, and a very human one. From his prison he sends a message to Jesus. The same Jesus that he had said of not long before, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." The man who declared that now asks this Jesus, "Are You really the Messiah we've been looking for, or should we keep looking for someone else?"

John had been the first to see who Christ really was, but now in the lonely darkness of his prison cell, wondered if what he believed he'd seen was really what he'd seen? That's where John in his circumstances was. Have you ever been there? Are you there now? Have the rock solid beliefs you've had about Jesus Christ now, because of the complete upheaval of your current life situation, brought this same question to you? Can you still trust Him, believe Him? Or, should you look for someone or something else?

Jesus loved John and surely was brokenhearted over his situation, but He didn't act on his behalf. John remained in prison. The prison where he would soon be beheaded. He sent this reply, "Go back and tell John what you've heard and seen, the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, God blesses those who are not offended by Me." 

John, like us, despite knowing the risks, wasn't fully prepared to deal with the consequences and unanswered questions of the catastrophe that had befallen him. Neither are we, especially when we, like John, have been faithful, and doing the work He's called us to. With our "why" and "how" comes the question John asked. "Jesus, are you really who we've believed You to be? Are you really all that you've promised You are, and if You are, why am I here?" To us He speaks just as He did to John. "In the midst of your darkness, look at who I have been, what I have done, and what I'm continuing to be and do....and trust Me!" He asks John if, even before your executioner, will you trust Me? Will he refuse to allow the unfairness of his situation to sway him from his steadfast trust and belief in his Lord? In John's darkness, he did. Can we in ours?

Where does He offend you today? Are you in an unfair place, a place you never thought you'd be, or that He would allow? Surrounded by darkness and filled with questions? He may not bring you out of there because He has deeper purposes at work, but He does send word. He remains who He's always said He is. Nothing about Him has changed. Your changing circumstances cannot change Him. Look not to another, look to Him. Trust Him. He calls us to trust Him. Even unto death, trust Him. Everything in this life is passing. He is forever. He will not fail you. He will not let you go. He never will.

Blessings,
Pastor O