The One Who Is To Come

John the Baptist knew his calling from the time he was born. Actually, we could even say he knew it before that. Luke 1:44 says he leapt for joy in the womb, when his mother received a greeting from Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus. When John was eight days old, his father, Zechariah, spoke a prophecy over him, “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways…” (Luke 1:76).

John would dedicate his life to preparing the way for the Messiah, spending his days preaching of forgiveness and of a savior who would free humanity from sin.

So, why was it that years later, after dedicating his life to sharing this truth, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Was John doubting if Jesus was the Messiah? John had baptized Jesus and witnessed the Holy Spirit descend upon him. So, what might cause this seeming doubt? While we do not know the answer, there are some key things going on at the time. 

John was in jail, under a death sentence for calling out the ruler, Herod Antipas, for incestuous adultery. Maybe John was thinking, if he was supposed to be making the way for the Messiah, why was he still stuck in prison? Also, people were calling Jesus a prophet for healing the sick and preaching the good news—all things prophesied that the Messiah would do. But Isaiah 61:1–2 prophesied that he would judge the wicked, release captives, and set prisoners free. And that—John knew personally—had yet to happen.

It wasn’t that Jesus wasn’t fulfilling the scriptures, but he wasn’t doing so in a way John might have expected. In Luke 3:17–18, John had previously said, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” So, John sent his two disciples to ask, and Jesus answered by healing the sick and telling John’s disciples to go back and tell him what they had witnessed. John had to trust him.

Have you ever prayed for something, but God didn’t answer in the way you expected? After college, I prayed that God would provide a job where I could serve and tell stories within the church. For five years, I tried to make this happen, but nothing worked. The doors wouldn’t open. It wasn’t until I released this desire to God that he finally answered my prayers—and in a way, so much better than I could have expected. I just had to trust him.

Reflect

As you reflect on today’s devotional, listen to the song, “Victory Is Yours”while you answer this question:

If you’re doubting God’s provisions and promises, how could you be more like John and go to the source for answers?