What Jesus Did! 'Doubts and Questions' — Luke 7:18-19

Thursday, April 27, 2023

A Year with Jesus - Holy Week

Spend some time with Jesus this week preparing for Resurrection Sunday.

Read More
The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?"
— Luke 7:18-19 NLT

Key Thought

We sometimes exalt key figures in the Scriptures to the legendary status of "Bible characters." We don't allow them to have bad days, doubts, lapses of passion, or faith dilemmas. However, Jesus was the only flesh and blood "Bible character" who was sinless. All the others had feet of clay. Even John the Baptist, with all of his passion and integrity, wanted to know for sure that Jesus was who John claimed him to be. Jesus' demonstration of what John prophesied was different from what John expected, at least from the distance John viewed him. (Remember, Herod had John in prison and would soon execute him. [1]) The crucial issue about John was that he kept seeking the truth, even in his moments of confusion. So often when we have doubts, we can let the doubts overtake us, and we grow silent and afraid to seek the truth. Jesus never discouraged truth seekers! Jesus was not afraid to answer questions from his critics, the skeptics, or even his followers who doubted. In your struggles, you will no doubt pass through a valley or two of doubt or confusion. Don't be afraid; be honest with Jesus about your struggles. That can be exactly where you find the Lord; he is there waiting for the seeker who honestly comes to him with questions.

[1] Luke 3:19-20; Mark 6:16-28.

Today's Prayer

Father, please help me never be afraid of coming to Jesus with honest questions as I seek to know the truth from him and about him. Give me wisdom and faith as I seek you, and in finding you, I know I will find the truth. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 11:9-13
  • John 7:16-17; 8:31-32
  • John 20:24-29

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, April 27, 2023

A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"[After his baptism,] Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, give me love! May I one day possess fully all the qualities of love, as did your son, Jesus, the Messiah! May I be patient and kind, not..."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Faithful Follower, I spoke the words you will read in the verses below before I went to the cross. I planted them like seeds into the hearts of...."
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
"When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived,....."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 7:18-19 NLT — "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.