Introduction
Church, I want to talk to you this morning about doubt. Not the kind of doubt that destroys faith, but the kind of doubt that deepens it. The kind of doubt that sends you searching for answers instead of running away from questions.
You see, even John the Baptist—the same John who leaped in his mother's womb when Mary came near, the same John who baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, the same John who declared "Behold the Lamb of God"—even John had questions. And if John could have questions, so can we.
The Context: John in Prison
Now John is sitting in Herod's prison. The scripture says he's hearing about "the deeds of the Christ" through the prison walls. Can you imagine? This man who lived by the river, who wore camel's hair and ate locusts and wild honey, who was free as the wind—now he's locked up in a dark cell. And while he's sitting there, he starts to wonder.
He sends his disciples to Jesus with a question that must have cost him something to ask: "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"
Now some folk might say, "John, what's wrong with you? You saw the Spirit descend like a dove! You heard the voice from heaven!" But John ain't doubting what he saw—he's trying to understand what he's seeing now.
The Honest Question
You see, John expected the Messiah to come with judgment. He preached about the ax laid to the root of the tree, about the winnowing fork, about burning chaff with unquenchable fire. He expected Jesus to clean house, to set things right, to bring down the mighty from their thrones.
But instead, Jesus is healing the sick, eating with sinners, touching lepers, and talking about love. And John? John is still in prison. Herod is still on the throne. Rome is still in power. The wicked are still prospering.
So John asks the question that many of us have asked in the midnight hour: "Is this really it? Is this really how God works?"
Church, let me tell you something: God can handle your honest questions. God is not threatened by your confusion. God is not offended by your "Lord, I don't understand."
Jesus' Response
Now watch how Jesus answers. He doesn't scold John. He doesn't say, "John, shame on you for doubting." He doesn't give him a theological treatise. Instead, Jesus points to the evidence: "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 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 is saying, "Tell John to look at what's actually happening, not just what he expected to happen." Sometimes our expectations of how God should move can blind us to how God is actually moving.
We want God to show up with thunder and lightning, but God shows up in a still, small voice. We want God to bring judgment on our enemies, but God brings mercy to everyone. We want God to overthrow the systems, but God transforms hearts one by one.
The Blessing of Perseverance
Then Jesus says something powerful: "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me." Other translations say, "Blessed is the one who is not offended by me."
You see, Jesus knew that His way—the way of love, mercy, healing, and sacrifice—would be offensive to some. It didn't fit the script. It didn't match expectations. It looked too much like weakness and not enough like power.
But Jesus says there's a blessing for those who don't stumble over His methods. There's a blessing for those who keep believing even when they don't understand. There's a blessing for those who trust God's timing even when deliverance seems delayed.
John wanted to see the kingdom come with power. Jesus was showing him the kingdom comes through love. John wanted to see justice rain down like fire. Jesus was showing him that mercy triumphs over judgment.
The Testimony About John
Now after John's disciples leave, Jesus turns to the crowd and starts testifying about John. He says, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?"
In other words: "Did you think John was wishy-washy? Did you think he went back and forth with every wind of doctrine?" No! John was steady. John was solid. John was a prophet.
But then Jesus says something that should make us all shout: "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."
Do you hear what Jesus is saying? John was the greatest prophet up to that point. But now, through Jesus, even the least in the kingdom has access to something greater than what John had. We live on this side of the cross. We live on this side of the resurrection. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
Application for Us Today
Church, there are three things I want you to take from this text:
First, it's okay to have questions. It's okay to say, "Lord, I don't understand." God is not intimidated by your confusion. Bring your questions to Jesus, not to gossip. Bring your doubts to prayer, not to despair.
Second, look at what God is actually doing, not just what you expected God to do. Sometimes we get so focused on what we think should happen that we miss what is happening. God may not be moving the way you planned, but God is moving.
Third, don't stumble over Jesus' methods. His way is the way of love. His way is the way of mercy. His way is the way of healing. It may not look like power to the world, but it's the power that raises the dead and sets the captive free.
Conclusion
John died in that prison. He never saw Jesus on a throne. He never saw the Roman Empire fall. He never saw the judgment he preached about come to pass in his lifetime.
But John was faithful. And Jesus testified about his faithfulness.
Some of you are in your own prison this morning. It may not be made of stone and iron, but it's real nonetheless. You're locked up in circumstances you can't change, suffering you don't understand, delays you didn't expect.
And you're asking Jesus the same question John asked: "Are you really who I thought you were? Is this really how it's supposed to go?"
Let me tell you what Jesus is telling you today: "Look at what I'm doing. I'm healing. I'm restoring. I'm making a way. My methods may not match your expectations, but my promises are still true. Don't stumble over how I choose to work. Just trust me."
And one day—maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day—you'll see that every question had an answer, every delay had a purpose, and every darkness was preparing you for greater light.
When understanding seeks clarity, bring your questions to Jesus. He can handle them. And He'll give you what you need to keep believing, keep trusting, and keep walking in faith.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
