No Losing Heart

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

NO LOSING HEART

Luke 7:18-23

18 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." 

NIV

Although Luke does not tell us, we know at this time in John’s life he was in prison after saying what he did to king Herod and his wife. Herod had not yet been forced by his wife and her daughter to behead John, but nevertheless here he was in a cell, perhaps a dungeon cell in the palace. He was allowed visitors as we see he did send two of his disciples to ask this question of Jesus. Was the question for the purpose of his disciples learning that Jesus was the one? By the response of Jesus, most likely not. Although John knew Jesus even while he was still in the womb, and most likely knew him as a boy, they were cousins. But more importantly John declared to the people when he was baptizing in the wilderness and Jesus approached, “Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world”. Was there any doubt at that moment in John’s heart that Jesus was the Christ, the anointed one, the long awaited Messiah? So then why this question now? It would appear John was losing heart in this, his most difficult days. This is our life lesson. We might be full of all sorts of faith, praising God, telling others of how he has blessed our life and knowing full well of his Lordship in our life. But then there may be times when things get tough, and we are going through difficult times, it seems all the blessings are vanishing. It appears we are not getting answers to prayer, heaven’s ears seem closed to us, and our life is getting worse instead of better. Are we like John, losing heart, if not just a little? Are we losing hope? Do we wonder if this is really all true? Is Jesus really there? Is he really the one? Surely we would not admit that on the outside, but would we send a message, in prayer, to Jesus and ask him, “Are you the one?” If our life becomes difficult do we allow that doubt to creep in? The answer Jesus gave John’s disciples was one to encourage John, to booster his faith, to assure him everything is in the hands of God. Do not worry about your life, John, you will be with me in glory. Do not fall away because it is not happening as fast as you think it should. This is also our encouragement. Jesus has our life under control, he knows our every need, and he assures us he will care for us, and we will be in glory with him someday. What is our life, we should not worry about it, see the sparrows and the flowers in the field. It does not matter about the difficult times, Jesus is still with us. It is easy to praise him when everything is going well, when we have great health and wealth, but if our health and wealth wane, and life begins to take a turn for the worse, this is the time we need to have faith more than ever before. We cannot afford to lose heart. We cannot afford to question, as John did. We must know deep within that Jesus has our life in his hands. Nothing really matters except our relationship with him. John was impatient, wanting the kingdom of God to be right now, perhaps then he would be freed from that cell, and get about doing more for the kingdom. We also must not be impatient with Jesus, looking for our freedom to do something for the kingdom. God’s timing is the only one that counts. So no matter if we are doing great or not doing great, if we have faith in Jesus we are doing truly great. Therefore no losing heart.