Even John the Baptist had doubts about Jesus. John was in prison because the governor, Herod Antipas, didn’t like what John said. John had seen the Spirit descend and the Father speak at the baptism of Jesus. Yet, John seems puzzled because Jesus may not be the Messiah he expected.
Luke 3: 16 John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”[1]
The Unexpected Jesus
We don’t know why John doubted Jesus was the Messiah. Perhaps Jesus and the Kingdom He brought didn’t look like John expected. Most Jews expected a political Messiah who would be king and bring judgment. John had prophesied that Jesus would separate the wheat from the chaff, but John had not observed that. John’s prophecy was not wrong; the timing was different than he thought. Jesus will do that when He returns.
The prophets had foretold that Jesus would free captives, but John was still in prison.
- Isaiah 42: 7bYou will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.[2]
- Isaiah 61: 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me… to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. [3]
- Psalm 102: 20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to release those condemned to die. [4]
Doubts Aren’t Always Sinful
Some scholars avoid this story because they believe it to be shameful. Yet many believers have moments of doubt. Jesus affirmed John and his calling. Luke 7: 28 I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John.[5] Despite being a great believer, John began to doubt under the stress of prison and unmet expectations. If this happened to John, we shouldn’t beat ourselves up if we have doubts. People have struggled with doubts about Jesus for generations.
Doubt is not the same as rejection. Rejection of Jesus will lead to damnation, but doubt can bring reflection and growth. God can use our doubt to move us to seek Him. When we pursue God for His answers, He will grow our faith. Jesus answered John’s questions in a way that caused him to reflect on the answers. God can even use our seeking to help others. Jesus used John’s questions to help the crowd consider the role of John in their faith life. From that point, Jesus challenged the crowd to consider His ministry and how to allow their faith to show in their own lives. If you have doubts about Jesus, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/johns-question-for-jesus
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.