Luke 7:23 Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.
This has been called the Beatitude of the unoffended. In our study this morning we are presented with a very interesting picture. John the baptizer is in prison; in fact, according to some estimates he has been in this dungeon for around 10 months. Keep in mind that the reason that John is in prison is for rebuking Herod because he was living in an adulterous relationship with his brother Phillip’s wife. So he is in prison for doing what is right, not for doing something that is wrong. When he was initially incarcerated, Jesus heads in the opposite direction and is not seen or heard of for 10 months.
When two of John’s disciples told him about how Jesus raised the widow of Nain’s son from the dead, he sent them to Jesus to ask Him if indeed He is The One that the prophets wrote about. In response to their question, Jesus first performs a variety of miracles that prove His Messianic Title (Luke 7:11-22). I believe that John is having what I would call “dungeon doubts” that were based on unfulfilled expectations of what Jesus was supposed to be doing for him. After all, if others are being healed, and others are being delivered from the clutches of darkness, and others are receiving miraculous answers to prayer, when are You going to come and deliver me out of my prison?
Dear ones, our walks as Christians contain many mysteries. The gospel of Jesus Christ is THE proof that God loves us. When circumstances and long seasons of “unanswered prayer” confront us, we tend to doubt the love of God. For those who have ears to hear, never allow the certainty of the love of God in the gospel cause you to misinterpret the mysteries of life here on earth. “Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.”
Although we may not literally be tortured or incarcerated, “dungeon doubts” do creep into our minds. Reminds me of my mother as a twelve year old when she lost her precious five year old brother. In her case, the question “why?” turned into “if You are truly a righteous God why would you allow this?” Her conclusion along with many family members was a life of atheism until (thank God) her last days.
It would be hypocritical of me to say that the question “why” has not surfaced during my own calamities. However, the Holy Spirit, my faith, and the word provide a hedge of protection against worldly “logical conclusions” or dungeon doubt.
Yes, the word “why” does enter my mind at times. But thanks to His grace my response is to first look in the mirror as James taught, to pray for wisdom and understanding of His will in my life. And ultimately, to hear Him through the word.
Life often brings us unfulfilled expectations. But He is good, He is righteous, and He loves me. Expectations He has fulfilled second to none.
God bless,
JoseM