Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Faithful No Matter What


“They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people.’ This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. John's disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’

When the men came to Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"’

At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, ‘Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: 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.’" (Luke 7:16-23 NIV)

Have you ever wondered why God was doing amazing things in other people’s lives, while leaving you seemingly on your own to struggle?  In my twenties, I remember attending weddings of many friends, celebrating with them, but wondering when God was going to bring the perfect woman for me.  It might be for you a longing for friends whom the Lord seems to bring in abundance to others, but not to you.  Or perhaps it is a great job that He gives to others, but you are stuck in a lousy one.

John the Baptist was in Herod’s prison, fairly certain, I am sure, he would die there.  His disciples come and tell him about the amazing things Jesus is doing.  John is wondering, given his situation, if Jesus really is the Messiah.  His question arises from a sense of unfairness.  “If Jesus is doing all these great things among others, why am I stuck in this cell waiting to die?”  

It is very easy to tie our faith to our experience.  And if our experiences are bad, it is easy for us to lose faith.  John was at this point.  He had served the Lord faithfully his whole life, but now things weren’t going well.  He had begun to doubt.  

Jesus’ response was to affirm all John had heard. And then He added, “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”  In other words, blessed is the man who continues to follow me even when he is not experiencing the blessings he sees others receiving.  This is the hard truth of discipleship.  We follow Jesus no matter where He takes us.  We trust Him regardless of our current circumstances.  

Jesus later described John as the greatest person who had ever lived (Mt. 11:11).  He remained faithful to the end.  The challenge for each of us is to do the same no matter what we face in life.  If we do, our reward will be great.

© Jim Musser 2013

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