Luke 7:23 – And blessed is he who is not offended because of me. (NKJV)
John the Baptist was the forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ, a man sent from God. (John 1:7-9) His assignment was to prepare the way of the Lord (the Messiah) through the baptism of repentance and to show Christ to the world and he was faithful in his assignment.
He declared openly to everyone that Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit and the Son of God. (John 1:29-34)
Despite his convictions about the Messiah, he began to express doubts when he was put into prison. John who had openly declared Christ as the coming Messiah began to doubt if Jesus was truly the Christ and was ready to look for an alternative. Luke 7:19 – And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”(NKJV)
Jesus Christ knew that his convictions were shaking because he was offended and gave him a powerful response: Luke 7:20-23: When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ”And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”(NKJV)
You may be reading this devotional and have a personal frustration that is making you doubt your strong Christian convictions. Let the reply of our Lord Jesus Christ to John convince you that He is indeed the Lord and that His word is true.
Do not allow a personal problem or frustration interfere with your proclamation and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is still Lord and He is still doing great things. Remind yourself of the great things He is doing in your life and count your blessings instead of being offended because of your unmet needs. Choose to see the miracles He is doing in your church and community rather than choosing to be blinded by offense.
He is still Lord and He is able to perfect all that concerns you if only you would stay with Him and not look for alternatives.
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I have no one else but you; no where else to go; nothing else to depend on but your word. Please keep my heart from offense against You. I have declared it before and I declare it again that JESUS IS LORD NO MATTER WHAT. Give me the grace to count my blessings and see the good things you are doing around me. Help me to trust you and stay with you no matter what. In Jesus name. Amen.