Luke 7:24-30
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Recall that an imprisoned John the Baptist just sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah. Then read Luke 7:24-30 taking note of anything that stands out.
John may have fallen into the “trap” of his own expectations about what the Messiah would do on earth, but John was a faithful servant of God his whole life. And Jesus, in great kindness, reminds the listening crowd of John’s true character.
Some have speculated that Jesus’ words about “the least in the Kingdom” being greater than John indicate that John didn’t ever place his faith in Jesus, but there are at least two reasons to believe otherwise. The Apostle John writes that at Jesus’ baptism, John the Baptist declared that Jesus was the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” and he pointed to Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:29-34).
And then there is the reaction of the people in this story – people who were baptized by John. Jesus’ statement doesn’t upset them even though they hold John in high regard. They agree completely with Jesus.
Stop to consider whether or not you have ever had a crisis of faith. Take some time to talk to Jesus about the circumstances that brought you to a place of questioning your faith. Talk openly with Jesus about this.
Read Luke 7:24-30 again with this in mind.
The idea that there is an invisible line a person must cross to be solidly in the Kingdom of God isn’t the most helpful. It’s perhaps more accurate to think of Jesus at the center of everything drawing all people to himself and people choosing to move nearer to him or further away.
Everyone suffers large and small crises of faith at one time or another, but if the overall trajectory of your life is leading you closer to Jesus, these are just bumps in the road. And lest your doubts make you feel like a lesser follower of Jesus, remember that in God’s Kingdom the poor in spirit are the most blessed.
Have your doubts about God or faith ever made you feel unworthy of the love of Jesus? Share this with Jesus now. Then get still and listen to Jesus for a while.
What might Jesus want you to remember or do today?
How do you plan to follow through?
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