Sunday we continued in week-23 of our series, The Gospel. If you missed last week, you can catch up on Facebook by clicking here.
As we continued in chapter seven this past Sunday, we arrived at an incredible scene. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ, is himself in a deep, dark place. John found himself in prison and no doubt was facing discouragement, frustration, and impatience. It is clear from John’s question, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (see Luke 7:20) that John was having a crisis of sorts.
As I shared on Sunday, John himself had been proclaiming some incredible things about Jesus. If you missed it, I shared from each of the Gospel accounts the different ways that John had proclaimed the person and ministry of Jesus. How can a prophet, according to Jesus the greatest prophet born among men (see Luke 7:28), go from such an incredible realization to who Jesus is to struggling with doubt?
Isn’t it a hard realization that life can and does change all of us? Doubt doesn’t just affect the young Christians and those who aren’t walking in deep intimacy with God. Life’s trials and tribulations have a way of trying to pull us down deeper and deeper into the pits of despair. I’d like to share an encouragement with you: Jesus knows. He knows what you are facing, how you are feeling, and where life has taken you. He is fully aware of the storms that occur in your life, and more importantly: He cares.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us this way: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15 ESV) Because God became a man and in His humanity faced everything we could possibly face, we can rest knowing that He both knows and cares about our trials. Jesus is our sympathetic high priest! Not only does He care, but He alone can do what we are powerless to do.
I just want to encourage you again today: do not lose hope. No matter how big the mountains you are facing in your life, Jesus still moves mountains. If you’ve been feeling down and discouraged, I would remind you that Jesus is still setting sinners free. He is still bringing dead men and women back to life, and He has overcome the world.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)
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