October 27 Blessed Assurance

Luke 7:18-23 John's disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” 20 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?’” 21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 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. 23 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
 
JOHN the Baptist here is very much as we are, isn’t he? Even though he had truly and passionately preached, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Matthew 3:3b) and declared “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (Matthew 3.2), John still had questions and possibly even doubts. “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” is a question that tells us John needed Jesus’ assurance that he surely prophesied Messiah.
   You can understand John’s question, can’t you? There he was, God’s appointed and anointed messenger. But he was languishing in Herold’s jail. His crime was as other prophets before him. John had preached God’s truth, and Herod jailed him for condemning Herod’s adulterous sins. The Bible often records how Kings and authorities couldn’t stand to hear the truth of their sins. Their response was to jail, torture, exile or kill the truth-telling prophets.
   John certainly knew this. But wouldn’t it be different now that the Kingdom had come on earth? Certainly God’s Kingdom Messengers would now be honored and rewarded. This is the time of the Messiah!
   Or is it? John, as did Israel, seemed to be anticipating the Messiah would lead a revolution to literally rule on David’s throne. Is something missing or incomplete? What is God doing?
   So John asked the kingdom question. And Jesus gave to John and to us the real evidence of his Kingdom come to earth. Our Lord’s rule is not of this world, but he commands disease, demons and despair, transforming lives into God’s intended completeness. The Kingdom King rules our hearts with his love and grace. He opens our eyes, so we may see he is Savior. The Son of God’s power is much more than rule from a throne in Jerusalem.
   John needed assurance of Jesus’ redeeming purpose. So do we. Stay focused on the eternal kingdom. See the cross as Jesus’ throne of power and renewal. Know Jesus’ blessed assurance that you can believe and trust in the “good news preached” to eternal life.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that your rule is eternal. You are so much more than we can imagine. I praise your name and commit my life to you. In your name I pray, amen.