Luke 7:18-35
Q.1. What were John the Baptizer’s questions? How can we account for John’s doubts? – (Lk.7:18-20)
The apostle John recorded that John the Baptist had borne testimony to the identity of Jesus – I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me- ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit’. I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God (c.f. Jn.1:33-34). Clearly, John the Baptizer had been in no doubt about the divine identity of Jesus. This account is significant, because it demonstrates to us that constant trials in life can shake the foundation of our faith … even as it did to one as great as John. As sinners we are vulnerable, and acute suffering can obscure the light of Jesus for a season. However, John left us an example of what to do when facing such doubts. Rather than brood over his misgivings, or discuss his misgivings with other doubters, John sent his followers straight to the only One Who could remove his doubts.
Q.2. Why didn’t Jesus simply answer – YES? What is significant about the way Jesus answered John and his followers? –(Lk.7:20-23)
Jesus could have given John a subjective answer. However, Jesus knew that such answer alone would soon be undermined by further satanic attacks. The answer He gave to John was objective and checkable. He answered John by quoting the Scriptures. He also drew attention to how He was fulfilling these Scriptures in His ministry – 22 … Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me (Lk.7:22-23 c.f. Isa.35:5; 61:1). Jesus recounted the fulfillment of Scripture, as the way of strengthening and anchoring John’s faith. This is still how the Holy Spirit operates to dispel our fears and doubts.
Q.3. What made John special? How did the people respond to him? Did the leaders accept John and Jesus? – (Lk.7:24-35)
There was nothing dazzling about John the Baptizer. However, in the sight of Jesus, he was outstanding – … Among those born of women, there is no one greater than John … (Lk.7:28). Jesus commended the single-minded and frugal lifestyle of John (Lk.7:24-26). Above those features, John was the greatest prophet up to that time because he was the herald of the Messiah – Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You (Lk.7:27 c.f. Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6). We read how all Jerusalem and Judea went out to John (c.f. Mk.1:5). The people responded to his ministry – but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John (Lk.7:30). Jesus also impacted the multitudes. However, the jealous leaders maligned both, using extravagant lies. Jesus drew attention to their contradictions – 33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children (Lk.7:33-35).