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