“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” —Matthew 7:7–8
Ever faced doubts? Ever questioned your faith? Ever asked God “What is going on??”
I don’t know a person who hasn’t.
And after the frustration passes, you may or may not even feel guilty for questioning.
But here is what I love about Jesus: Any time we have a question, Jesus tells his people to ask.
In fact, one of Jesus’ biggest supporters in the first century went through a time of darkness and doubted Jesus. His name was John, but we know him as John the Baptist.
John’s mission was to go before Jesus, preparing the way before him. John had a HUGE following. People came from everywhere around the known world to hear him, because it was clear from those who did, that there was finally (after 400 years) a prophet in Israel. He baptized people as a sign that they were turning their hearts to God in preparation for the arrival of God’s Promised One.
This Promised One had been spoken of by the prophets for thousands of years, and John told the people to get ready, because His arrival was imminent.
Then Jesus revealed himself to his people. He did miracle after miracle, showing himself to be the Promised One from God.
But, after a successful run, John ended up in prison—and he worried that he might never escape. John was in a dark place and a darker state of mind.
So, after waiting some time, John sent a message through some of his own disciples to Jesus. Here is the message:
“Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” —Matthew 11:3
Ouch.
If I were Jesus, I might have been personally offended. “What do you mean, am I the Messiah? Isn’t it obvious?! Just tell John that I am!”
But I love this: Jesus doesn’t go there. He doesn’t take it personally. He says:
“Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—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.” —Matthew 11:4-6
He tells them to relay to John what they have seen and heard. In effect Jesus is saying, “Don’t take my word for it. Tell him how lives have been changed through miraculous healings.”
And then he adds “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.” To put it another way, “God’s blessings are with those who continue to follow me regardless of their life situation.”
Continuing with him is key.
But what happens next gives us greater confidence as his disciples.
Because of a dark time in his life, John (who, btw, was a powerful influencer in his time) has just questioned Jesus’ identity in front of his followers. After John’s disciples leave, Jesus honors John—despite his doubt! Jesus says:
“What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? (the rhetorical answer is “No”) Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet…I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!” —Matthew 11:7,9,11
John had hoped that the Messiah would deliver him from prison and when it didn’t happen, he doubted. He questioned. But despite John’s doubt, Jesus loved and honored him in front of others.
Like most of us, John had a plan for what Jesus should do in his life; but Jesus has his own plan. And his plans have a much bigger arc than ours.
Here is the truth for each of us: Jesus knows your doubts. He knows the questions that plague our hearts. He knows our weaknesses. He knows that we are dust. And still he is patient. Gracious. Extending lovingkindness to—especially to—those who doubt because of dark situations. He always extends hope and light.
Whatever you’re experiencing today—or whatever you’ve been going through for some time—remember this: He already knows all about it and he knows the path through the darkness.
So don’t be shy: Ask. Tell him what is on your heart and tell him what is troubling you. Here is the key: in spite of the darkness that is at work to derail your faith, continue to follow.
Trust him. Follow Him. And whatever you do, don’t be afraid to ask “Jesus, what’s up?” He loves to answer the prayers of his people.
“Blessed are those who don’t fall away because of me.”
Love you,
Pastor Bill
Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, and Master of Divinity from Corban University in Salem, Oregon—and he loves a good biryani.
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