I’m fairly certain that John the Baptist had been told from a young age that he was special. His birth was miraculous. He may have also known that there was a calling on his life. Whether he knew what that was, we’re not sure. But he began to fulfill that calling when he emerged from the wilderness and began to baptize people, getting them ready for the Messiah. He had a powerful ministry. There was no one like him.
He was sure that Jesus was the Messiah… “I am not worthy to untie His sandal” (John 1:27). But then he was thrown into prison. I wonder if he was thinking… “It wasn’t supposed to go this way. I was doing God’s work. I had a ton of disciples. Why, Lord?” And then Satan was there planting doubts in his mind. “Are you sure? What if you gave your life for something that wasn’t true?” So the doubts began to fester. Then he sends a couple of his disciples to ask Jesus this infamous question, “Are you the One or should we be looking for someone else?”
As I pondered this scenario, I was reminded that Satan still works the same… he still puts doubts in our minds. We begin to think… Lord, I’ve been serving you forever and have given my life for you… so why is this happening? I’ve been praying for my loved ones for decades and I haven’t seen any change. Why have you blessed them, but I’m still struggling? Why have they been given that position when I deserve it more? Why, Lord?
Our story of John the Baptist today reminds me of two things: 1) Jesus doesn’t rebuke our doubts, but 2) He meets us in them. He also gives John the cure for his doubts. Doubts WILL come. Satan is predictable… he has used this tactic since the beginning of time and continues to use it. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t have doubts sometimes. However, there is a cure… go back and remember what Jesus has done… He made the blind to see, the lame to walk, the dead to rise, the leper to be healed. Remember what Jesus said… His promises.
I’m not sure what doubts you may have today, but if we don’t conquer them by following this advice Jesus gave to John the Baptist, then those doubts can lead you further into darkness and further away from truth. Jesus will meet you in your struggle today. Let His works and His words strengthen your belief and your resolve. Hope this encourages you today.