Luke 7:18-23 – Jesus’ answer to the doubts of John the Baptist

From similar account in Matthew, we know that John the Baptist was in prison. He had offended Herod when he told him it was morally wrong for him to marry his brother’s wife. Offended, Herod threw him into prison. John had been declaring that Jesus was the Expected One, the Messiah, whom they had been waiting for. The Jews expected to be free from the dominion of the Romans when the Messiah had arrived. In prison John heard of the things that Jesus was doing but then the Romans was still in firm control. So confused and discouraged, he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He was truly the Messiah or should they look for another. So the two disciples of John came to Jesus and did as requested by John.

At that point, Jesus was doing miraculous ministry among the needy, and He had healed and cured many afflicted by sicknesses. Those affected by demons had been delivered and set free too. And many blind had received their sight again. Jesus then told those two enquiring disciples to “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. Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”

In essence Jesus was saying that He was indeed the expected Messiah. Many were being healed. Victims of the fallen world, caused and debilitated by sins and demonic powers, were being healed and delivered. He had been operating in the realm which all the ills of men began. He, the King, has taken control of the unseen realm, and that had been translated into healing and deliverance in the physical realm. The message of the Lord is about His Kingdom. It is about the rule of Jesus the King in the realm of the unseen that has impact on the realm of the seen. And He is reigning and freeing man from the dominion and slavery to sin that had brought with it sickness, oppression and death. And truly blessed is everyone who does not take offense at Him. For then they are poised to receive the blessings that He, the King, came to give. So Jesus sent John’s disciples back to him with overwhelming experiential and Scriptural evidence that the messianic power was in fact flowing through Him. With that, He actually validated His own awesome ministry. Apparently that was sufficient answer for John, although he was not delivered from prison and was eventually beheaded there.

Patience is what we need most of the time. When we don’t understand, we just hold on to God’s Word. He will definitely reveal to us in His good time. But whatever we have heard and understood, we must obey and act on them. This will ensure that we steadily build a strong life. This will help us to weather the tough circumstances of life. For He is faithful who has promised help in times of need. Trust Him!