Digging Deeper – Remember the Debt Jesus Canceled

Avatar photo Steve Roach on September 23, 2026

 

“Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”

Colossians 2:13-14(NLT)

 

REMEMBER THE DEBT JESUS CANCELED

 

Jesus’ story about the two debtors in Luke 7 helps us understand what forgiveness really means. The creditor forgave both people and canceled their debts. Neither debtor negotiated a payment plan, promised to work harder, or found enough money to settle the account. They simply could not pay what they owed, so the creditor chose to cancel the debt.

That gives us a helpful picture of what Jesus accomplished for us at the cross. Sometimes we think of forgiveness as God simply deciding our sins no longer matter, but the cross tells us something very different. Our sin mattered deeply because it separated us from a holy God. Colossians 2 says that the record of the charges against us was canceled and nailed to the cross. God did not ignore our debt. Jesus took it upon Himself and paid what we could never pay.

First Peter 2:24 (NLT) says, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.” When you really think about those words, they make the cross incredibly personal. Jesus carried my sin and yours. He willingly took responsibility for a debt that belonged to us so that we could be forgiven and brought back into a relationship with God.

Imagine a teenager borrowing his father’s new truck and accidentally backing it into a concrete post. He hears the crunch, gets out, and immediately realizes how much damage he has done. The tailgate is crushed, the bumper is bent, and he knows the repairs will cost far more than he has.

When he gets home, he must tell his father what happened. He admits that it was completely his fault and braces himself for the response. His father listens and tells him that he forgives him. The son is relieved, but the father’s forgiveness does not magically repair the truck. The body shop will still send a bill. New parts will still have to be purchased, and someone will still have to pay for the repairs. If the father chooses not to make his son pay for the damage, then he will pay the cost himself.

That picture helps show what happened at the cross. God did not pretend our sin did not matter. Jesus willingly took the cost upon Himself. Isaiah 53:5 (NLT) says, “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”

The woman in Luke 7 understood how much she had been forgiven, and that shaped how she responded to Jesus. Simon did not see much in his own life that needed forgiving, so he responded very differently. When our love for Jesus begins to cool, we sometimes just need to remember what He has done for us.

Reflection Questions

  1. When was the last time you stopped and really considered what Jesus has forgiven in your life?
  2. Has the message of the cross become so familiar that you sometimes take it for granted?
  3. How does understanding what Jesus willingly took upon Himself affect the way you think about Him?
  4. Take some time today to thank Jesus specifically for what He did for you at the cross.

Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

When Love Grows Cold

Kevin Burrell on September 23, 2026

 

When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know what kind of woman is touching Him. She’s a sinner!”

Luke 7:39

 

WHEN LOVE GROWS COLD

Picture this. It’s the second week of preseason, and there’s a player who is consistently showing up five minutes late to every workout. You’ve seen enough and had enough. In your mind, he’s lazy, he’s not coachable, not disciplined, and he’s a distraction. You’ve already written his story. Then a week passes, and his mom stops you in the parking lot and tells you he’s been getting both of his younger sisters to school before he heads to workouts because his father is in the hospital battling pneumonia. Suddenly, the story changes, and so does how you see him.

In a similar way, that’s what Jesus is doing in Luke 7. He’s at dinner with a Pharisee named Simon when a woman with a bad reputation walks in. She’s weeping. She pours perfume on His feet and wipes them with her hair. Simon watches and thinks, “If this man were a prophet, he’d know what kind of woman this is.” Simon sees her label, not her.

So how do we guard against our love for others becoming cold and callous?

  1. Stop Playing the Critic

Where do you land right now? More critical or more compassionate? Do you have a critical spirit? I’m reminded: being a constant critic can become an easy entry point for sin to sow seeds of division.

  1. Lay Down Your Comparisons

Jesus tells Simon about two men in debt, one owing a lot and one owing a little. Neither could pay, and both were forgiven. Simon thought he was the fifty-coin guy and she was the five-hundred. But nobody at that table could pay it back. Don’t get caught in the comparison game. Coach each of your players as who they are and what they can become.

  1. Drink From His Fountain of Grace

Jesus told her, “Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace.” Her love was warm because she knew how much she’d been forgiven. Lamentations 3 reminds us, “His mercies are new every morning.” Allow grace to be a staple in your life personally — and as a coach. You’ve been forgiven; now forgive others.

Listen Closely—

When our love grows cold, it’s usually because we have started judging instead of remembering. You judge the players, the parents, and even yourself. However, when you remember how much you’ve been forgiven, you will stop keeping score and start seeing your players and people the way Jesus sees them. So before you walk into practice today, take a minute, drink deep, and let grace warm you back up.

 

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Digging Deeper – Lay Down the Comparisons

Avatar photo Steve Roach on September 22, 2026

 

“Then Jesus told him this story: ‘A man loaned money to two people, 500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts.'”

Luke 7:41-42 (NLT)

 

LAY DOWN THE COMPARISONS

 

We compare almost everything. We compare houses, careers, salaries, marriages, children, accomplishments, appearances, and possessions. Unfortunately, we can bring that same habit into our spiritual lives.

Simon was doing exactly that. He looked at the woman kneeling at Jesus’ feet and thought, “I may not be perfect, but I’m certainly not like her.” Jesus responded by telling him about two people who owed money. One owed 500 pieces of silver, and the other owed 50. Their debts were obviously different, but Jesus wanted Simon to notice something much more important. Neither person could pay what he owed. The issue was not which person had the better-looking debt. The issue was that both were bankrupt. We often play Simon’s game ourselves. We may think, “I’ve never done what she did,” or “At least I’m not as bad as him.” Comparing ourselves with someone else may make us feel better temporarily, but it cannot make us right with God.

Romans 3:20 (NLT) says, “For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.” Jesus wanted Simon to understand that the difference between him and the woman was not that she needed forgiveness and he did not. They both needed it. She simply understood her need for Jesus more clearly.

Imagine two people standing on the California coast who decide to swim to Hawaii. One is an average swimmer. The other is an Olympic champion. The Olympic swimmer would obviously go farther than the other person. But eventually, both swimmers would face the same problem. Neither of them can swim to Hawaii. It would be ridiculous for the stronger swimmer to look back and congratulate himself because he had made it farther than the other person.

That is the problem with spiritual comparison. Someone else’s failures may be greater or more visible than ours, but none of us can reach a perfectly holy God through our own goodness. The closer we get to Jesus, the more we will realize that comparison doesn’t work. We begin to realize that we all come to Him empty-handed, depending on what He has done for us.

Reflection Questions

  1. Who are you tempted to compare yourself with spiritually?
  2. Does comparison usually make you feel superior or inadequate?
  3. Why does remembering that neither debtor could repay destroy spiritual pride?
  4. Thank Jesus today that your relationship with God does not depend on being better than someone else.

Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

Digging Deeper – Watch for the Warning Signs of a Cold Heart

Avatar photo Steve Roach on September 21, 2026

 

“When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!'”

Luke 7:39 (NLT)

 

WATCH FOR THE WARNING SIGNS OF A COLD HEART

 

You can be close to Jesus and still have a heart that is growing cold. Simon the Pharisee proves it. He invited Jesus into his home, sat at the same table with Him, and listened to Him speak. From the outside, Simon seemed exactly where a spiritual person should be. But something was wrong inside him.

When an immoral woman entered the room and began weeping at Jesus’ feet, Simon’s first response was not compassion. It was criticism. He looked at her and immediately thought, “She’s a sinner!” Simon sat beside Jesus, but instead of being amazed by Jesus, he analyzed someone else and was critical.

When criticism is our first thought, that can be a warning sign of a heart that’s growing cold. We become increasingly aware of what is wrong with everyone else and increasingly unaware of what is wrong within us. Jesus gave a similar warning in Matthew 7:3 (NLT): “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” Jesus was not telling us to ignore sin. He warned us not to be more critical and bothered by another person’s failures than we are about the condition of our own hearts.

The longer we follow Jesus, the more spiritually mature we should become. But a subtle danger also exists. We can become so familiar with church, Scripture, and worship that we begin measuring everyone else instead of examining ourselves. Before long, we can become experts at identifying everyone else’s sin while becoming too comfortable with our own.

Imagine two people walking into a hospital emergency room. One person looks terrible. His clothes are torn, his face is bleeding, and everyone can immediately see that something is wrong. The other person walks in wearing a suit. He looks healthy and feels fine. After running some tests, however, doctors discover that the second man has a life-threatening condition developing inside his body. His problem is just as serious, but much harder to see.

Simon could clearly see the woman’s spiritual wounds, but he could not see his own. Her sin was public, while his pride was private. Romans 3:23 (NLT) says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” When I remember my own need for Jesus, it becomes much harder to look down on someone else. If you find yourself becoming increasingly critical of others, it may be time to ask God to show you what is happening in your own heart.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you become quicker to notice other people’s failures than your own?
  2. Who are you most tempted to criticize or look down upon?
  3. How would remembering your own need for Jesus change the way you see that person?
  4. Ask Jesus today to replace a critical spirit with a compassionate heart.

Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

Digging Deeper: Wisdom

Avatar photo Phil Meade on September 18, 2026

 

35 “Yet wisdom is justified by all her children”

Luke 7:35 (ESV)

“. . . Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds”

Matt 11:19b (ESV)


WISDOM

 

Evangelical preacher and theologian Henry Blackaby writes:

When you seek to obey what God has told you, you will sometimes meet resistance and criticism from others who disagree with the wisdom of your actions. Your immediate response may be the urge to vindicate yourself. However, if you wait patiently, time will reveal the wisdom of your actions far better than you could through argument.

As we conclude our week-long study on handling our doubt and unmet expectations, let’s delve into the topic of wisdom. If you wish to dive headlong into this subject, the book of Proverbs is a great place to start. Wisdom – as described in Proverbs – is: “given by God;” “more precious than jewels;” “pleasant, peaceful, and humbling;” “loyal and protective;” and “antithetical to the fool.” I have heard wisdom defined as knowledge tempered by experience.

The short passage in today’s devotional concludes Luke’s account of Jesus’ response to John the Baptist. What Jesus is saying is that wisdom will ultimately win the day, and our doubts and unmet expectations will be seen in the clear rearview mirror of wisdom. Wisdom in this sense gives “birth” to “children,” personified as actions or deeds. Wisdom also strengthens our faith and leads us to a deeper trust in Jesus.

My favorite author, Charles Dickens, notes, “There is a wisdom of the head, and a wisdom of the heart.” We can have one without the other. Wisdom solely of the head can lead to enlightenment, but can also lead to pride and arrogance. Wisdom solely of the heart can lead to compassion, but also can lead to emotion-based beliefs and decisions.

Jesus is the perfect blend of the two. He quite often quotes Scripture to combat evil. He has a heart for his generation that is full of compassion – yet never acts out of emotional impulse. Obviously, he never doubts the will of His Father, nor has any expectations outside the will of His Father.

When those doubts arise – we all have them – seek wisdom in God’s Word. Have faith in the one who died for you – trust Jesus by His deeds – rest assured that God will justify your actions!

 

Digging Deeper (er):

Prov 2:6; Prov 16:16; Eph 1:17-18.

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 6. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his 25 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Digging Deeper: Empowered to Be Great

Avatar photo Phil Meade on September 17, 2026

 

28 “I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he”

Luke 7:28 (ESV)


EMPOWERED TO BE GREAT

 

I find this passage in Scripture a little confusing and intimidating. John the Baptist is a pillar of the faith – the fulfilment of prophecy (Isa. 40:3; Mal. 3:1). He is the last in the line of prophets. He gives the final prophecy of the coming Messiah (Matt. 3), and he is the first person to recognize the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29). He is also the cousin of Jesus and becomes a martyr for his faith. I don’t know about you, but I am pretty sure that I am not the fulfilment of any prophecy!

Jesus extols the greatness of John, yet notes that all those in His kingdom are greater than John (v. 28). Charles Spurgeon explains, “As we may say, as a rule, that the darkest day is lighter than the brightest night; so, John, though first of his own order, is behind the last of the new or Gospel order. The least in the Gospel stands on higher ground than the greatest under the law.” I shall now attempt to explain the words of Jesus.

Until Jesus arrives on earth, the world is under the Law. With the incarnation of Jesus, a new covenant is introduced – the covenant of Grace. John lives and dies under the old Law covenant. Those saved by the blood of Jesus – the author of the new covenant – are “greater than he” in God’s kingdom (v. 28). The fact that those of us saved under the new covenant hold such high regard should both humble us and, more importantly, empower us!

God promises Joshua to “be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9). We should hold fast to that promise as well. Jesus is empowered by the Holy Spirit to do good works during His time on earth (Acts 10:38). When doubts and unfulfilled expectations arise, just remember the power of the Holy Spirit also indwells and empowers you!

Digging Deeper (er):

Mal 3:1; 1 John 4:4; 2 Tim 1:7.

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 6. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his 25 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Doubt: The Foundation of Faith

Jeff Swarr on September 16, 2026

 

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 9:24

 

DOUBT: THE FOUNDATION OF BELIEF

In the spring of 2023, we had an experienced baseball team returning from the previous season. In our first game of the season, we faced a quality opposing pitcher and got shut out. In our second game of the season, we lost in an extra-innings walk-off affair. As we entered our third game of the season, doubt crept into my mind about how good we could be. This doubt became great as the third game progressed, entering the bottom of the 7th, losing 1-0. Lo and behold, we scored two runs in the bottom of the 7th, winning in walk-off fashion. We then won 12 of the next 13 games. Our doubt becomes the foundation of faith.

Being raised in a Christian home, we would hear biblical stories of faith from a young age. We hear of Jesus healing the sick, the lame, the blind, and the poor. Many of these healings end with Jesus blessing those that have been healed with this phrase, “…your faith has made you well.”

Jesus healed the bleeding woman, and then in Matthew 9:22, Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

In Mark 10:52, Jesus says these words to Bartimaeus, “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

After healing the Samaritan leper, we read in Luke 17:19, “Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’”

All these reminders of people having faith can lead us to feeling that we should not have any doubts or that if we have doubts, there is something wrong with us. Our doubts are reminders that we are human. Our doubts provide the opportunity and the foundation for our faith.

Instead of focusing on our doubts, we are being challenged to lock eyes with Jesus. Our doubts bring our head down, and in order to lock eyes with Jesus, we must lift our head up. Look around and look up. It is then that we are reminded of what is written in Luke 7:22-23, “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.’ And he added, ‘God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.’”

Each of us has a story of faith to tell. We have experiences where God shows up. It is up to us to keep our eyes up and know that God shows up. He shows up right on time to remind us that our doubts are the foundation of the faith that makes us well.

Lead well. Love better.

Jeff

Jeffrey Swarr is a baseball coach, author, and educator dedicated to helping others unlock their potential through mindset, resilience, leadership, and positive self-talk. A seasoned high school head baseball coach and author of works such as A Competitor’s Heart and The Daily Competitor, he shares daily insights on personal growth and purposeful living. Jeffrey strives to share his Christian faith with the students and athletes he is blessed to coach. He is married to Emily and the proud father of Simon, Spencer, and Shepherd.

Digging Deeper: Witness to What You Know to be True – What Jesus Has Already Done

Avatar photo Phil Meade on September 16, 2026

 

21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them”

Luke 7:21-22 (ESV)


WITNESS TO WHAT YOU KNOW TO BE TRUE – WHAT JESUS HAS ALREADY DONE

 

Actions speak louder than words! I believe Jesus exemplifies that adage. Make no mistake, Jesus is an effective and powerful orator! In this story from Scripture, Jesus’ first response to John’s question is action (v. 21). He then answers John’s messengers by instructing them to tell John what they have seen and heard (v. 22). I think this story is a great example of the different ways we can be reassured that Jesus is who He says He is!

One source that addresses our doubt is found in the truth of the Word of God. God knows what is in our heart, and His Word is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword . . . discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Paul promises the church in Rome that “through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4b). When doubts start to creep into your psyche, open up your Bible and let the truth contained in the Word of God wash away those doubts. As Jesus reminds us, “whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him” (Mark 11:23). Stand firm on the truth of God’s Word during seasons of doubt – your witness to others will shine brightly through the darkness!

Another source that eases our doubt is faith. The writer of Hebrews clearly states that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Faith is counterintuitive to doubt. Without faith, we must rely on our own understanding to explain the seeds of our doubt. With faith, we rely on the sovereignty of God and believe in His promise that “I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10). Faith is the “victory that has overcome the world” (1 John 5:4).

Trust is a way to resolve our unmet expectations. I believe trust is earned through the observation of action. Jesus answers John’s question with a demonstration of His true calling (v. 21). When a situation does not result in the expected outcome, we must trust in what Jesus achieves for us. Jesus heals the sick and raises the dead to prove His power. Jesus goes to the cross to reveal His love. The apostle John writes, “let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). The truth of Jesus was demonstrated in His deeds – we must lean on that truth and align our expectations with that truth.

 

Digging Deeper (er):

John 8:31-32; Rom 10:17; Prov 3:5.

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 6. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his 25 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Digging Deeper: Take My Doubts to Jesus

Avatar photo Phil Meade on September 15, 2026

 

20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight 

Luke 7:20-21 (ESV)


TAKE MY DOUBTS TO JESUS

 

In the classic baseball movie “Field of Dreams,” Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) complains to Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) – “I did it all. I listened to the voices, I did what they told me, and not once did I ask what’s in it for me.” Joe’s response – “What are you saying, Ray?” Ray sheepishly replies – “I’m saying, what’s in it for me?” Ray did what he was called to do, yet the end result was not what he expected.

John the Baptist knows his calling – a voice crying in the wilderness (Isa. 40:3). He prophesies the coming Messiah – the conqueror of the occupying Roman Empire. When John hears that Jesus is preaching a different message, John sends two of his disciples to Jesus to assuage his doubts and to elucidate his unmet expectations. John reaches out to the source to calm his fears and to reassure himself that his mission and his message are not in vain.

We too have the ability to take our doubts and expectations to the source. Jesus wants to hear our doubts and longs to reassure us that He is in control. One way to accomplish this is through prayer. As a result of the atoning work of Christ, we now have access to “confidently” approach the “throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16). Do not be afraid to ask Jesus the tough questions – I think His behavior during His trial clearly demonstrates His ability to withstand scrutiny!

Jesus already knows what is in your heart, but talk to Him regardless – just remember to patiently and humbly listen for His response. Let Him reconcile your doubts and reset your expectations. Give up control of your life to Him – you will never feel more in control than when you give up control!

Digging Deeper (er):

Mark 9:21-24; John 20:24-29; Luke 24:36-40.

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 6. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his 25 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Digging Deeper: When Doubt Creeps In

Avatar photo Phil Meade on September 14, 2026

 

18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

Luke 7:18-19 (ESV)


WHEN DOUBT CREEPS IN

 

As we have witnessed in the last two weeks, Jesus heals a centurion’s servant (Lk. 7:1-10) and raises a widow’s only son from the dead (Lk. 7:11-17). We begin this week with John the Baptist in prison. John is imprisoned for condemning the marriage of Herod Antipas to his brother’s wife, Herodias. With John in prison, many of his disciples begin to follow Jesus instead of John (see Andrew in John 1:37, 40).

John is told of all that Jesus has been saying and doing in Capernaum along the shores of the Sea of Galilee (v. 18). Even though John proclaims Jesus as – “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ . . . 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29-30, 34 ESV) – John still has lingering questions and doubts. Dutch minister J. N. Geldenhuys notes, “John was already in prison, and things began to appear incomprehensible to him. He had expected that Christ would speedily destroy the powers of darkness and judge the unrighteous. But instead of doing this, He leaves him, His forerunner, helpless in prison.”

John is in the midst of great personal tragedy. He is in prison, and he senses that his days are numbered. He devotes his life to the service of God and heralds the arrival of the blessed Messiah. John expects judgment and revolution – Jesus proclaims mercy and love. John knows that the prophet Isaiah promises a savior who will “bring good news to the poor; bind up the brokenhearted; liberate the captives; and release those bound in prison” (Isa. 61:1). John is sure that the Messiah will usher in “a day of vengeance of our God” (Isa. 61:2a).

John’s expectations of the actions of the Messiah – whom he has foretold – are going unmet. One would think that of all those who come into contact with Jesus, John is the last person who still has doubts and shattered hopes. John hears that the poor receive the “good news,” and the brokenhearted receive healing – yet John sits in prison and looks to the Messiah to “liberate the captives – to open the prison gates, and unbind the prisoners.”

John – like the rest of us – is human. Life happens – circumstances can cause us to doubt and question. I believe God understands our occasional doubts and our feeling of unmet expectations. Tomorrow we will explore how our response to such feelings should mirror the response of John the Baptist.

Digging Deeper (er):

Acts 3:1-10; Matt 16:21-23; Gen 17:15-21.

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 6. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his 25 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.