Day 266 – John the Baptist’s Doubts

• Doubt will be an issue for us all throughout our Christian lives. You might think doubt only comes to those who don’t understand, or are weak, or have been “taken in by the world”. If that’s the case, prepare to be shocked. John the Baptist – the man who pointed the way to Jesus and baptised him in the Spirit – is recorded as questioning Jesus today.
• This might be one of the first passages of the New Testament that we have studied thus far that you perhaps were not so aware of before. What are your immediate thoughts having read Matthew and Luke’s accounts of this situation?
• Where was John located when he sent his questions to Jesus? How might this have affected his mood? Do you doubt more when you’re in a stressful situation?
• John’s questions might have been simply inquisitive rather than anything else, but why do you think he was challenged about whether Jesus was the promised messiah? What do you think John might have been expecting from Jesus? Do you think being in prison was part of the John’s expectations of events?
• In Matthew 11:4-5, Jesus answered John. He did this by quoting Isaiah and pointing to the things He had been doing (healing and teaching). What point was Jesus making?
• Jesus went on to teach the crowds. In Matthew 11:11 he said John is “great” in human terms, but that the “least of the kingdom of heaven is greater than he”. What did Jesus mean by this do you think?
• Matthew 11:20-24 mentions many cities. Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were places where Jesus did many miracles, but many people in these cities didn’t repent. Jesus went on to say, however, that Tyre and Sidon, two very pagan cities, would have repented. Remember Ninevah in Jonah’s time? They repented at the message Jonah shared. How much more would sinners who actually saw Jesus? Jesus’ human point is that your past is less important than seeing the reality of Jesus and His message. It helps us see why some people who don’t think they are already “OK” are more hardened to Jesus than those who have previously ignored Him.
• When you struggle with doubts, Matthew 11:25-30 is sure to give great comfort. Spend some time in prayer thanking God that He has made Himself known to you, and that Jesus can take the burden of your sin and shame.

Doubt affects us all. There will be times when God feels very real to you. There will be times when it feels like you’re a leaf being washed away in a tidal wave of ambivalence towards the Christian message. At times like this, it can be so easy to drift away from Christ.

When these times come, the Christians in your life will be ever more important in helping, and encouraging you. Your family, your friends, your church, your youth leaders – all may be able to play a part in helping talk through your struggles, and pray with you, and support you when you need a spiritual arm on your shoulder – or maybe even a real one!

If, however, those people aren’t there because your friends are exclusively non-Christians, or because you have drifted away from church, then it’ll be harder to find the support you need.

Your ultimate rock, of course, is Christ, and to Him you can – and should – always turn first. Prayer and time in God’s Word can bring you closer to Jesus and help you in your struggles. But your support networks around you will play a great part too – especially if that means reminding you of the great love found in Jesus in the first place.

You don’t need to go to church to be a Christian, or have a good number of Christian friends, or go to a weekly bible study. But those things can be so encouraging and affirming that I would encourage all to be a priority when you’re able to.

And – of course – you can then be that encourager to others too!