A Faith for Life's Moments

I've been thinking about John the Baptist for the last week or so as I try to get ready to celebrate Christmas in a few weeks. Many of the New Testament Gospel texts that deal with this time of year have John in them because he played such a pivotal role in helping people to get ready for Jesus' arrival on the scene. John is such a colorful and radical figure. He lived out in the wilds of the Judean desert. He wore a camel's hair tunic (no, not the nice kind of camel's hair coats you get at fancy clothing department stores) and he ate locusts and honey (talk about a great weight loss diet program). But all that aside, he was a straight to the point, no-nonsense kinda guy. There wasn't a lot of fluff or veneer to John the Baptist. I like John a lot, even though sometimes I wonder if I could've really related to him had I been around when he was alive and ministering to people.

There is one moment in John's life, though, that I feel a special kinship with him. In Matthew 11, John is in prison because he spoke truth to power and publicly questioned King Herod's inappropriate sexual liaison with his brother's wife. Matthew doesn't tell us, but I can only imagine that it must have been very disheartening and discouraging for John to be sitting in a prison cell, facing certain death, after all that he had done to live for God and share God's love with others. When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (11:2-3) As bold and strong a man as John was, he had questions and doubts too - just like a lot of us. John towers above many as a Godly man, yet even he had his moments. Having had a few "moments" myself over the years, I take great heart that I have a friend in John.

What's more, I love how Jesus responds to John's question. He could have uncorked both barrels on him and really let him have it. After all, if anyone should never have questioned who Jesus was it should have been John. You can almost hear Jesus saying, "Seriously John - YOU are questioning me? Of all people - YOU?" But, Jesus doesn't lambaste him. Instead, Jesus says simply,  "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” (vv. 4-6) Instead of condemnation, Jesus reminds John not to lose sight of all that Jesus had done in the past and in the present - some of which John undoubtedly witnessed firsthand prior to his imprisonment.

In those moments when we're struggling or doubting or just plain wondering, "God, where are you in all of this," Jesus reminds us, "Haven't I acted on your behalf in the past? Don't forget that because it's your assurance that I will again."


Some Food for Thought:



Do you ever have "moments?"



What has gotten you through them?



How has the Lord acted on your behalf in the past? Where is He at work in your life right now?



If you could ask Him for one thing this Christmas what would it be?