Stumbling Over Jesus
This morning we returned to our study of Luke 7 with our men at 5 AM. We had a good group to discuss Jesus' question from John, the Baptist, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" Many people say that John was having a bit of doubt about Jesus being the Messiah. However, the most likely reason for his question was some confusion. I think we all have times when we do not fully understand all of the Word of God, but that doesn't mean we are doubting the Word.
John was a very strong prophet. He denounced sin. He called for repentance. He referred to the Scribes and Pharisees as snakes. He was put in prison for calling for Herod to repent of his adultery. John expected Jesus to come in much the same way. The Minor Prophets depict the "Coming One" as one who would reprove and rebuke. When John heard about the ministry of Jesus, he did not hear a lot of that going on. In fact, Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners. He was healing people, casting out demons, and raising the dead. He was fulfilling the role of the Messiah as presented in the Major Prophets like Isaiah. He knew that this was confusing to John. It has been confusing to a lot of people. The truth is that Jesus came the first time as the Suffering Servant. The Second Coming will the the time to judge sin. The Old Testament put the two pictures together. We can see that now, but it was hard for those of John's time to figure it all out.
That is why Jesus cautioned John not to stumble over Him. (Luke 7:23) In other words, just because he did not understand it all, he should not stop believing. The word Jesus used meant a stumbling block or a stone of stumbling. Some people will let one or two things keep them from believing in Jesus. They stumble over what they don't understand, when there is so much truth that is so clear. John was as great a prophet as there ever was, so if this could happen to him it could happen to any of us. It happened to the Scribes and the Pharisees. They rejected Jesus because He did not fit their picture of the Messiah. We must not judge Jesus by our understanding. We must let Him show us the truth. He is the Truth.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 15-17.
John was a very strong prophet. He denounced sin. He called for repentance. He referred to the Scribes and Pharisees as snakes. He was put in prison for calling for Herod to repent of his adultery. John expected Jesus to come in much the same way. The Minor Prophets depict the "Coming One" as one who would reprove and rebuke. When John heard about the ministry of Jesus, he did not hear a lot of that going on. In fact, Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners. He was healing people, casting out demons, and raising the dead. He was fulfilling the role of the Messiah as presented in the Major Prophets like Isaiah. He knew that this was confusing to John. It has been confusing to a lot of people. The truth is that Jesus came the first time as the Suffering Servant. The Second Coming will the the time to judge sin. The Old Testament put the two pictures together. We can see that now, but it was hard for those of John's time to figure it all out.
That is why Jesus cautioned John not to stumble over Him. (Luke 7:23) In other words, just because he did not understand it all, he should not stop believing. The word Jesus used meant a stumbling block or a stone of stumbling. Some people will let one or two things keep them from believing in Jesus. They stumble over what they don't understand, when there is so much truth that is so clear. John was as great a prophet as there ever was, so if this could happen to him it could happen to any of us. It happened to the Scribes and the Pharisees. They rejected Jesus because He did not fit their picture of the Messiah. We must not judge Jesus by our understanding. We must let Him show us the truth. He is the Truth.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 15-17.