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Wednesday Devo

Scripture Reading:

18 The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, 19 and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
20 John’s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’ ”
21 At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. 22 Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 23 And he added, “God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.”

Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:

7:18 All these things refers to the mighty miracles Jesus has been doing, as well as to his remarkable teaching.
7:19–20 the one … to come. John’s question indicates his doubt as to whether Jesus was the “mightier one” who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (see 3:16). For some reason, Jesus did not seem to be exactly the kind of Messiah John was expecting, perhaps because it did not appear that Jesus was going to overthrow the Roman rulers, and probably also because Jesus was not immediately bringing judgment on evildoers. John’s concern was probably aggravated by his being in prison.
7:21 Luke prefaces Jesus’ response to John with a summary of his ministry of healing (cf. 4:40–41; 5:15; 6:18–19). Luke mentions separately the restoring of sight to the blind, possibly to emphasize the greatness of such a miracle.
7:22 tell John. Jesus does not answer John’s question directly but gives evidence demonstrating that he is the “coming one.” From the following report, John can come to his own conclusion. blind receive … sight (see 4:18; 18:35–43); lame walk (5:17–25); lepers are cleansed (5:12–16; 17:11–19); deaf hear (cf. Isa. 29:18; 35:5; 42:18); dead are raised (Luke 7:11–17; 8:40–56; cf. Acts 9:36–43); poor have good news preached to them (Luke 4:18; 6:20; 14:13, 21). In other words, Jesus is indeed the coming one predicted in the OT. The days of salvation foretold by Isaiah have begun, even though they will not be consummated until Christ returns to establish the eternal kingdom.
7:23 Jesus’ exhortation, blessed is the one who is not offended, is surely directed to John and his disciples.

Study Questions:

  • The third point from Sunday was, "Jesus moves in response to his SOVEREIGNTY." In verse 18 we see that John the Baptist has been arrested and is sitting in a dungeon. This is the one that had been preparing the way for Jesus, the last great prophet. But it's clearly not going the way thought it would. So he begins to wonder, "Is Jesus REALLY the Messiah?" He's in a dark place, and we've all been there before. He's thinking, "Everyone is getting THEIR miracle, but why am I not getting MINE?" Have you ever felt this way? What is usually your response to these situations? How does it affect your relationship with God?

  • JTB is doubting, but he doesn't give in to those doubts. Unfortunately, many of us DO give into those doubts. Many turn away from faith for this very reason. Ultimately, John the Baptist is beheaded at the order of Herod. Jesus chose NOT to save him. God's sovereignty is his right and power to do all that he decides to do. Every prisoner is not set free every time. Sometimes, even though you have faith, and even though God is compassionate, the answer is no. How does this strike you? Do you have trouble reconciling these kinds of things in your own life? What do the "no's" in your life do to your faith and trust in him?

Pray:

That you would remember God is faithful even when the answer is no.
That you would learn to trust God no matter what. 

This Week's City 7:

Try to commit to memory!

7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)

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