“And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
Matthew 11:2 NKJV
Happy Monday family. My apologies for missing our Reflection Friday. I hope you’ve had a good weekend. Welcome to a new week!
This week, however, is different. Today John is in prison and he has a question for Jesus. “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Last week there was no question in his mind, no doubt in his heart, and no hesitation in his words. Infact, he is the one who pointed out the Messiah to the people. Last week he had confirmation, he was sure, he had confidence in the prophecy but this week his heart is being tossed to and fro. Why?
John finds himself in prison after calling out Herod for marrying the wife of his brother. John is like some people who love God but found themselves in prison although innocent. Many good people have been accused of rape, oh yes, accused of theft, things even God knows they did not do. John spoke the truth and got arrested. I suppose he was agitated. He was hurt , upset. After all he had been doing only for someone to stop his ministry by putting him in prison. Beloved, the prison is not a cute place. It is designed to confine you, to punish, to take away your ability to do what you want . It stops the flow of life. This is a man who has been going all over the country preaching , now he is in one place. The prison.
In the prison you’re alone with your thoughts. You’re not busy acting so you’re busy thinking. John begins to think and overthink. He’s not baptising or preaching, he is thinking deeply instead. When you’re inactive physically, your brain is definitely active. John started doubting the One he pointed out meaning he was also doubting his own calling and prophecies. Last week he was a prophet with a voice, this week he’s a prisoner with a question. Last week you were the believer encouraging others, this week you are the one questioning the existence of the God you just ministered about.
How many times have we switched up on our faith because of the prison? “If He is truly Lord He would’ve provided this and this for me. If He is truly Lord He would’ve saved my mother.” We have so many faith killing thoughts based on our wants. The part of scripture where we carry the cross and follow Him, have we read it? The part of scripture that says the day of adversity will come, have you read it? Are you only focusing on the one that talks about feeding the 5000? As he sat in Herod’s prison, John wondered why Jesus was not living up to his expectations. Are you He who is to come, or shall we look for another? In other words, Are you Jesus or did I point out the wrong person. Are You the Lord or are people right in saying there’s no God at all? The questions of those in prison are filled with doubt and desperation stemming from a current need – freedom from prison. What has your prison made you say? What words have you spoken because of where you have found yourself? Job just worshipped. What about you?
Do you find yourself questioning if God is real? Do you find yourself speaking the language of the prison? “But I have no choice, you don’t know how l feel. The prison is a hard place and I’ve believed God for so long but why am l in prison?” Which part of scripture have you read? Have you read about Joseph? Oh wait have you read about Paul and Silas in the book of Acts? What about Peter? Were they not in prison as well? Did they have the same response or reaction? The truth is John’s frustration got the best of him. He wondered why a righteous and holy man like him would be confined in prison when the Messiah could just take him out. Jesus is not a superhero from all the Netflix series’ you watch. He’s not the Cinderella fairy. He is the Messiah. There are things you’ll go through that will hurt you but He is still Messiah. The prison should not change your speech, keep speaking Kingdom! Keep speaking Jesus! Keep testifying. Keep praising! Keep worshipping! Stand by the truth revealed to you.
Dear John, are you truly the one to doubt Christ? Are you the one saying all these things? John, what about your testimony of yesterday?