Bimbola Tayo-Bamidele
This message is one that is very crucial for this season.
It may not be a message for everyone.
But it's definitely a message for someone.
I was doing some meditation this morning and that part of
the Scripture where John doubted if Jesus was really the Messiah lingered in my
heart.
John the baptist was the one who announced Jesus to the
world. He was the one who showed him to the people. He was the one who baptized
him. He even said he was not worthy to tie the shoe lace of Jesus. He was
Jesus' forerunner.
What on earth could make such a man to later send men to
ask Jesus, "Are you really the Messiah that we have been waiting for or
should we look for another one?"
See Luke 7 for details.
What happened to John?
What shook John's faith?
What made him doubt if Jesus really saves?
What trial of faith or level of adversity could make such
a man lose confidence in the Lord?
The Bible says John had been imprisoned by Herod.
Perhaps, John expected and waited for Jesus' deliverance
from that prison.
And when he did not see Jesus' brake light, he lost his
faith in Jesus.
He heard of all the exploits Jesus was doing, yet, he doubted
if Jesus was really the Messiah. His doubt was to the extent that he sent the
same men he once told about Jesus, to ask Jesus, "Are you really the
Saviour?"
Or maybe he didn't doubt Jesus.
Perhaps, he just was offended and angry and annoyed and
bitter and disappointed that, despite all he did "for" Jesus, all he
did and sowed into the Kingdom, and all his exploits for Jesus, Jesus would not
"rescue" and deliver him from "prison".
When his messengers got to Jesus with the message from
John, asking, "Are you really the Messiah, or should we look for
another?"
See what the Bible recorded about Jesus' response,
"...Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their
sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are
raised up, and the poor have the good news (the Gospel) preached to them. And
blessed (happy--with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation,
apart from outward conditions--and to be envied) is he who takes no offense in
Me and who is not hurt or resentful or annoyed or repelled or made to stumble
[whatever may occur]." Lk.7:22,23 (AMP) In other words, Jesus said,
blessed is he who still retains his confidence, belief and trust in me,
regardless of his situation, physical circumstances or whatever condition he
finds himself in.
It was such blessed attitude that made the three Hebrew
men declare unto the King, "O, king, let it be known to you, that, we are
not mincing words in this matter. Our God whom we serve will save us from this
fire of yours because He's able to. Nevertheless, if he does not, he remains
our God and will remain magnified in our eyes forever more." (My
paraphrase of Dan. 3:17,18) It was such blessed attitude that made Apostle Paul
decree, "Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering
and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or
hunger or destitution or peril or sword?
...For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither
death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and
threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything
else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is
in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom 8:35-39 Are you currently in a stage where
your faith is beginning to get shaky like that of John the Baptist?
Or perhaps, you are beginning to get offended?
I want to encourage you this morning:
Don't doubt His love.
His love remains.
Don't doubt His faithfulness.
He is faithful still.
Don't doubt if He's for you.
He can never be against you.
Be strengthened.
Be encouraged.
Let your faith be rekindled.
Strength for your feeble knees in Jesus name!
"Nothing shall separate us from His love!"
