City Life Starter

Word: Luke 7:18-28

18The disciples of John reported to him about all these things.

19Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?”

20When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?’ ”

21At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.

22And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

23“Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”

24When the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

25“But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces!

26“But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet.

27“This is the one about whom it is written,

‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You,

Who will prepare Your way before You.’

28“I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

By Scott Fiddler

John the Baptist was in prison. He had been in prison since he was arrested by Herod Antipas for calling him out on his adulterous relationship with Herodias. Luke 3:19-20. John had been hearing from his disciples of Jesus healing people and casting out demons. John had prophesied Jesus was the Messiah. John 1:29. All of what John had heard seemed to confirm his prophecy regarding Jesus. But John seemed to have had doubts for one very personal reason—if Jesus was the Messiah, was all powerful, why had he left John to rot in Herod’s prison?

After all, John was not just any prophet but the prophet foretold of by Isaiah. Isaiah 40:3. John had been imprisoned for doing God’s will and speaking Truth to Herod Antipas. And on top of all that, John was a relative, likely Jesus’ cousin. If you can’t count on family, who can you count on?

Maybe John had even been praying the Lord would get him out of prison. I think it is fair assumption John’s mother and father, Elizabeth and Zacharias, if they were still alive, were praying to the Lord that John would be released from prison. But nothing happened. And John begins to doubt whether Jesus really is the Messiah. So, John sends two of his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?”

Jesus does two things in response. First, he heals people and then quotes prophecy that confirms such acts are proof he is the Messiah and tells John’s disciples to tell John. In other words, Jesus is saying, “Yes, I am the Messiah.” (vv. 21-22)

Second, Jesus says, “Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.” Jesus is saying, now that you know I have the power to release you, you will be blessed if you are not offended that I do not do everything you want or pray that I do.

Of course, we know how this story ends. Jesus did not save John, and Herod Antipas had John beheaded.

Application

Jesus’ message, “Yes, I am God, and blessed is he who does not take offense at Me,” was not just a message for John, or his relatives who were praying for his release and did not have their prayers answered the way they hoped, it is a message for all of us.

We all share common ground and a common reality. If the Astros win the World Series, the Dodgers must lose, regardless of how many Dodgers’ fans pray. If John’s beheading best served the purposes of God’s kingdom, then John being released from prison and living a long peaceful life would not also best serve the purposes of God’s kingdom. And, “Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”

You pray that a loved one who is sick will recover and instead they die. You pray that God intervene to deliver you from a uncomfortable situation. Yes, God is God, and He has the power to heal and deliver you, but He does not. Jesus says that in that instance, if you realize that it is not all about you or your will but Him and His kingdom and you do not take offense, you will be blessed.