The Life of Christ

Herod had thrown John the Baptist into jail for accusing the king of adultery.

• While alone and out of touch in a dark dungeon day after day, the great final prophet of the Old Testament actually has some doubts if Jesus is indeed the Christ.

• John ’ s questions developed by not hearing from Jesus for a rather long time; in prison, word of the Messiah’s exploits was far and in between.

• This goes to show how quickly doubts can develop when we go a few days without prayer, miss a couple Sundays at church, or isolate ourselves from fellow believers or the Bible. If it can happen to the greatest prophet in the Old Testament, it can also happen to us. Lk. 7:19-22 And when the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?’” 21 At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He granted sight to many who were blind. 22 And He answered and said to them, “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.”

The miracles were all indications that Jesus was, in fact, the Christ.

• Jesus purposely quoted from Isa. 35:5-6 and Isa. 61:1, which clearly foretold how the Messiah would do the very things they are now reporting.

• Is. 35:5: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ear of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.” • Is. 61:1: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”

• John was familiar with both of these scriptures, and the Word of God is what would serve as the establishing link that Jesus was the Christ.

Lk. 7:23 “And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me.”

This final statement was personally for John — “and blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me.”

• In other words, “keep the faith in the midst of your hardship and you will be fully compensated with blessing!”

Lk. 7:24-26 And when the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 “But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces. 26 “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet.”

118