2026 Luke 7-3, In Times of Doubt, Trust Jesus
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2026-04-26 15:26
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In Times of Doubt, Trust Jesus
Luke 7:18-35
Verse 18 says, “John’s disciples told him about all these things.” “All these things,” means what Jesus healed the centurion’s dying servant, raised the widow’s dead young son and healing many others.
At that time, John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” This is somewhat strange. John should have been happy with the report. But he raised a question, “Jesus, are you the Messiah?”
John baptized Jesus. And he heard the voice of God that Jesus was the Son of God and the Messiah. He said, “Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) John had been revealed clearly that Jesus was the Messiah. But now he raised a doubtful question, “Are you the Messiah?” There might be two main reasons.
First, personal tragedy
John's circumstances didn't seem to fit with his faithfulness. John’s father was a well-known priest. As the only son in a rich family, he could have lived a luxurious life with good education. But from childhood, he was led by the Spirit and lived in the desert. He did not enjoy secular pleasures. He poured his all life to carry out the mission of God. Now, however, he was imprisoned in a cold dungeon. He was early thirties. He would soon be executed.
To him, this circumstance didn’t seem to match his devotion and his faithfulness. So he was questioning, “If Jesus was the Messiah, why am I here in prison? Why didn’t he come and rescue me?” Some people wander and doubt when they suffer while others are going well. They feel miserable.
Second, wrong expectation
The Old Testament talked that the Messiah would reign over the world with justice and righteousness. John expected that the Messiah would bring justice on the evil world.
John was a man with his own strong conviction and expectation. He had challenged many people, “Repent your greed and selfishness!” And he confronted the hypocritical Pharisees and religious leaders, saying, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? The axe is already at the root of the trees. If you do not produce good fruit, you will be thrown into the fire of hell.” (Matthew 3:9) He also confronted King Herod Antipas who had an adulterous relationship with his brother’s wife. “You are wrong. Repent!” His preaching was straightforward. His message was not wrong, but too strict and extreme.
John expected that the Messiah would do the work of judgment on the evil people and evil Roman authority. That was John's messianic view. But, such things had not happened.
To him, Jesus looked too gentle and weak. Shouldn't the Messiah punish the wicked politicians and religious leaders and drastically reform society? Yet, Jesus was just doing Bible study with his disciples, delivering sermons to the crowd, healing the sick and eating with sinners in the small northern region of Galilee.
John raised a doubtful question, “What is this?” It did not align with his standard and expectation. His conviction turned into doubt. So, he sent two of his disciples to Jesus. "Jesus, are you really the Messiah?"
What is John's problem? He expected Jesus to solve his problems quickly. And his view of the Messiah was too ahead in time. It is true that Jesus will judge the living and the dead. When? At His second coming.
Like John, it is easy for us to fall into doubt when Jesus does not solve our problems soon. Especially, we become doubtful and critical when our problems are continuing.
John believes that Jesus will bring justice and judgment of the wicked. It is not wrong. But the time has not yet come. What we believe may not come true now. Still, we must believe and wait until God's time. Faith is waiting.
There are many irrational things happening around us. We might be frustrated. But those who live by faith believe and wait for the fulfilment of God’s promises. God will surely do it in God's time.
Now, let’s look at Jesus’ reply to John’s question. Look at verse 22. "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard.” These two disciples were blessed because they came to see and hear what Jesus was doing and saying. “Come to see and hear!” This is Jesus’ invitation to you and I. Those who come to see and hear through worship, prayer and evangelical work of God experience the kingdom of God.
Look at verse 22. “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”
This is the Messiah’s work. Jesus gives freedom to those who are shackled by diseases, demons, death and poverty. That's not judgment. It's healing and salvation. It is all compassion, love and mercy. Where's the axe in the hand of Messiah? Where is the fire in His hand? Messiah came and they were getting healed and dead people were getting raised, demons were being cast out.
This is the work of Messiah. Where is judgment? John became doubtful that the kingdom of God had not come yet and the work of God declined. But the kingdom of God has come with Jesus the Messiah and even now in this 21 century, the work of Messiah is going on powerfully and actively. Once, John’s ministry was big with many people. But now his ministry dwindled but Jesus’ ministry was big. When he saw Jesus’ ministry with his own standard and expectation, Jesus’ ministry didn’t look right. However, God is always right in using his servants and churches differently. We are not to judge others and other ministries with our own standards.
Many wonder that the world is too evil but the work of God is getting weaker and smaller. But that is not so. God works mightily even now and many receive his grace of salvation in all around the world.
The problem is this; “My standard, view and evaluation are right.” So some repute or doubt, "Why is the world like this? Why is God telling me to do this?" When I was young, I had a trouble with those who did not keep time. I judged them irresponsible and uncaring. I thought I was right and they were wrong. But as time went on, I realized that I was not right in all ways. So now, I just wait for them and share the word of God joyfully. That is why my life is easy now.
Do you have or stick to your own standard or expectation? Do you have doubt about what God is doing now? Are you asking, “Lord, are you the Savior for me and the world?” Yes, you could have doubt. But please do not stop there. Come to see what God is doing through worship, prayer and evangelical work of God. I thank God for offering us the spring retreat. May God bless all of us go to see and hear what Jesus is doing and saying.
Let’s read verse 23. “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” In John’s generation, the messianic view was judgment. In our generation, the popular messianic view is prosperity. “You are born to live a happy and blessed life. Come to God, he will give you blessings-good health, good career, good job and peace.” So when they get low grades, when they are sick, when their finance is not good or when their future seems uncertain, they become doubtful about God’s love and power. They do not know both God and the Bible. God’s will is to restore his kingdom and holiness on man’s soul by the blood of Jesus and his resurrection.
I believe God blesses his people with visible things. But that is not the main. Jesus has saved us to live as kingdom of priests and a holy nation. If you have this faith in Jesus, you will not stumble in all circumstances.
After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. And we learn that there are three kinds in man’s life styles.
First, a man like a reed swayed by the wind. Look at verse 24. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?” Reeds are not deeply rooted. So reeds are severely swayed making noise by even small wind. A man like a reed is swayed easily by circumstances because they have no root in Jesus’ saving grace and his purpose. The crowd were like reeds. They were always opportunistic with no commitment. God cannot bless such people.
Second, a man dressed in fine clothes. Verse 25 says, “If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.”
These people are always sensitive to worldly voices and trends. They pursue worldly wealth, luxury and pleasures. They are indifferent to the will of God but only interested in their wellbeing with security and pleasures. These secular people look gorgeous outwardly but inwardly they are hollow and stink.
Third, a prophet. Look at verse 26. “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.” Prophets speak the word of God. They live a mission-centered life. They are the light and the watchman of the times. They are lonely because they do not compromise with the world. However, they are great in the eyes of God. Jesus says that John the Baptist is more than a prophet. Why? It was because of his mission.
After Malakai, there was no prophet for the next 400 years. The religious leaders such as priests and Pharisees were useless because they were enslaved by the desire for money and luxurious life. At that time, John came with the spirit of Elijah and delivered the message of repentance. He helped more than 300,000 people to repent their sins and come back to God. He found out who he was by the word of God. “I am a voice of God in the desert to prepare the way for the Lord.” He carried out his mission to the end. Jesus says, “John is the greatest man among all human beings.” Who is great? The answer is a man with mission from God. A life without mission would make us a man like a reed or a man intoxicated with secularity.
Sometimes I ask students, “Why are you studying hard?” “To find a good job and make lots of money and find a good spouse.” “Then, what’s the next?” “I want to have smart children and educate them and see them marry.” “What is the next?” “Well, I will see grandchildren and get old. “What is the next?” “…die.” Their final was death. They never talk about mission and eternity. They study hard, would make lots of money, marry, see children and grand-children and die. In fact, they were born to die. This is life without Christ Jesus and mission.
Look at verse 28. Jesus said, “Among those born of women there is no one greater than John.” He's the greatest human ever to live. It was because he was a man of mission, the forerunner of Messiah.
Verse 28b says, “yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” We are greater than John the Baptist. Why is so? This is because we know forgiving grace of God through Jesus’ cross and resurrection. We know Jesus’ ascension, promise and eternal reward. These are things John didn’t know. We would not be greater John in terms of his mission and sacrificial spirit. However, we are greater than him because we know Jesus in his cross, resurrection, the Holy Spirit and eternal glory.
Look at verse 31. Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’
Here the first we are Jesus and his disciples and the second we are John the Baptist. John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine. John lived a 3 p life, poor, pure and pious. But they condemned him, “He is demon-possessed.” When he sang a dirge, they should have been remorseful and repentant with tears because of their sin and upcoming judgement of God. But they did not cry.
When Jesus came eating with sinners, they said, “He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” When Jesus and his disciples played the pipe for them, they should have accepted His invitation with joy and dancing. But they rejected saying they were busy.
They reject both John and Jesus. No response, no welcoming, this is real problem. Would you like to do Bible study? Would you join prayer meeting? Would you go to the spring retreat? Would you go out to campus to teach the Bible? If you respond and welcome it, you are blessed.
When you hear the message from John the Baptist and Jesus, the Lord, respond and welcome while you have life today. Some only study and have fun. Some work and have rest. When would they do the work of God?
By God’s grace I live as a prophet. I deliver the message of repentance and joy in Christ Jesus. I invite them again and again. Now I notice two types of people. One is people who need explanation or persuasion. I have to try hard to explain or persuade them. However, some people need neither explanations nor persuasion. Like the centurion, they just come, go and do. Did Jesus explain or persuade his disciples why they had to come, go and do? No. When he simply said, they exactly obeyed him. This is faith.
Faith is simple. Look at children’s playing. When they play the pipe for you, would you be serious and sorrowful? No. Rejoice with them dancing and eating together. When they sing a dirge, would you go to the library or watch movies or travel? No, you are to shed tears with them.
Look at verse 35. “Wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Who are wise? They are those who properly respond to the invitation of God.
I pray for you today. Live a life needing no explanation or persuasion. Live a life of responding and welcoming God’s invitation. When we go to Bible retreat, respond. When we worship and pray, come and join us. Then you will become wise and victorious. That is a life of faith.
Luke 7:18-35
Verse 18 says, “John’s disciples told him about all these things.” “All these things,” means what Jesus healed the centurion’s dying servant, raised the widow’s dead young son and healing many others.
At that time, John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” This is somewhat strange. John should have been happy with the report. But he raised a question, “Jesus, are you the Messiah?”
John baptized Jesus. And he heard the voice of God that Jesus was the Son of God and the Messiah. He said, “Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) John had been revealed clearly that Jesus was the Messiah. But now he raised a doubtful question, “Are you the Messiah?” There might be two main reasons.
First, personal tragedy
John's circumstances didn't seem to fit with his faithfulness. John’s father was a well-known priest. As the only son in a rich family, he could have lived a luxurious life with good education. But from childhood, he was led by the Spirit and lived in the desert. He did not enjoy secular pleasures. He poured his all life to carry out the mission of God. Now, however, he was imprisoned in a cold dungeon. He was early thirties. He would soon be executed.
To him, this circumstance didn’t seem to match his devotion and his faithfulness. So he was questioning, “If Jesus was the Messiah, why am I here in prison? Why didn’t he come and rescue me?” Some people wander and doubt when they suffer while others are going well. They feel miserable.
Second, wrong expectation
The Old Testament talked that the Messiah would reign over the world with justice and righteousness. John expected that the Messiah would bring justice on the evil world.
John was a man with his own strong conviction and expectation. He had challenged many people, “Repent your greed and selfishness!” And he confronted the hypocritical Pharisees and religious leaders, saying, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? The axe is already at the root of the trees. If you do not produce good fruit, you will be thrown into the fire of hell.” (Matthew 3:9) He also confronted King Herod Antipas who had an adulterous relationship with his brother’s wife. “You are wrong. Repent!” His preaching was straightforward. His message was not wrong, but too strict and extreme.
John expected that the Messiah would do the work of judgment on the evil people and evil Roman authority. That was John's messianic view. But, such things had not happened.
To him, Jesus looked too gentle and weak. Shouldn't the Messiah punish the wicked politicians and religious leaders and drastically reform society? Yet, Jesus was just doing Bible study with his disciples, delivering sermons to the crowd, healing the sick and eating with sinners in the small northern region of Galilee.
John raised a doubtful question, “What is this?” It did not align with his standard and expectation. His conviction turned into doubt. So, he sent two of his disciples to Jesus. "Jesus, are you really the Messiah?"
What is John's problem? He expected Jesus to solve his problems quickly. And his view of the Messiah was too ahead in time. It is true that Jesus will judge the living and the dead. When? At His second coming.
Like John, it is easy for us to fall into doubt when Jesus does not solve our problems soon. Especially, we become doubtful and critical when our problems are continuing.
John believes that Jesus will bring justice and judgment of the wicked. It is not wrong. But the time has not yet come. What we believe may not come true now. Still, we must believe and wait until God's time. Faith is waiting.
There are many irrational things happening around us. We might be frustrated. But those who live by faith believe and wait for the fulfilment of God’s promises. God will surely do it in God's time.
Now, let’s look at Jesus’ reply to John’s question. Look at verse 22. "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard.” These two disciples were blessed because they came to see and hear what Jesus was doing and saying. “Come to see and hear!” This is Jesus’ invitation to you and I. Those who come to see and hear through worship, prayer and evangelical work of God experience the kingdom of God.
Look at verse 22. “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”
This is the Messiah’s work. Jesus gives freedom to those who are shackled by diseases, demons, death and poverty. That's not judgment. It's healing and salvation. It is all compassion, love and mercy. Where's the axe in the hand of Messiah? Where is the fire in His hand? Messiah came and they were getting healed and dead people were getting raised, demons were being cast out.
This is the work of Messiah. Where is judgment? John became doubtful that the kingdom of God had not come yet and the work of God declined. But the kingdom of God has come with Jesus the Messiah and even now in this 21 century, the work of Messiah is going on powerfully and actively. Once, John’s ministry was big with many people. But now his ministry dwindled but Jesus’ ministry was big. When he saw Jesus’ ministry with his own standard and expectation, Jesus’ ministry didn’t look right. However, God is always right in using his servants and churches differently. We are not to judge others and other ministries with our own standards.
Many wonder that the world is too evil but the work of God is getting weaker and smaller. But that is not so. God works mightily even now and many receive his grace of salvation in all around the world.
The problem is this; “My standard, view and evaluation are right.” So some repute or doubt, "Why is the world like this? Why is God telling me to do this?" When I was young, I had a trouble with those who did not keep time. I judged them irresponsible and uncaring. I thought I was right and they were wrong. But as time went on, I realized that I was not right in all ways. So now, I just wait for them and share the word of God joyfully. That is why my life is easy now.
Do you have or stick to your own standard or expectation? Do you have doubt about what God is doing now? Are you asking, “Lord, are you the Savior for me and the world?” Yes, you could have doubt. But please do not stop there. Come to see what God is doing through worship, prayer and evangelical work of God. I thank God for offering us the spring retreat. May God bless all of us go to see and hear what Jesus is doing and saying.
Let’s read verse 23. “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” In John’s generation, the messianic view was judgment. In our generation, the popular messianic view is prosperity. “You are born to live a happy and blessed life. Come to God, he will give you blessings-good health, good career, good job and peace.” So when they get low grades, when they are sick, when their finance is not good or when their future seems uncertain, they become doubtful about God’s love and power. They do not know both God and the Bible. God’s will is to restore his kingdom and holiness on man’s soul by the blood of Jesus and his resurrection.
I believe God blesses his people with visible things. But that is not the main. Jesus has saved us to live as kingdom of priests and a holy nation. If you have this faith in Jesus, you will not stumble in all circumstances.
After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. And we learn that there are three kinds in man’s life styles.
First, a man like a reed swayed by the wind. Look at verse 24. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?” Reeds are not deeply rooted. So reeds are severely swayed making noise by even small wind. A man like a reed is swayed easily by circumstances because they have no root in Jesus’ saving grace and his purpose. The crowd were like reeds. They were always opportunistic with no commitment. God cannot bless such people.
Second, a man dressed in fine clothes. Verse 25 says, “If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.”
These people are always sensitive to worldly voices and trends. They pursue worldly wealth, luxury and pleasures. They are indifferent to the will of God but only interested in their wellbeing with security and pleasures. These secular people look gorgeous outwardly but inwardly they are hollow and stink.
Third, a prophet. Look at verse 26. “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.” Prophets speak the word of God. They live a mission-centered life. They are the light and the watchman of the times. They are lonely because they do not compromise with the world. However, they are great in the eyes of God. Jesus says that John the Baptist is more than a prophet. Why? It was because of his mission.
After Malakai, there was no prophet for the next 400 years. The religious leaders such as priests and Pharisees were useless because they were enslaved by the desire for money and luxurious life. At that time, John came with the spirit of Elijah and delivered the message of repentance. He helped more than 300,000 people to repent their sins and come back to God. He found out who he was by the word of God. “I am a voice of God in the desert to prepare the way for the Lord.” He carried out his mission to the end. Jesus says, “John is the greatest man among all human beings.” Who is great? The answer is a man with mission from God. A life without mission would make us a man like a reed or a man intoxicated with secularity.
Sometimes I ask students, “Why are you studying hard?” “To find a good job and make lots of money and find a good spouse.” “Then, what’s the next?” “I want to have smart children and educate them and see them marry.” “What is the next?” “Well, I will see grandchildren and get old. “What is the next?” “…die.” Their final was death. They never talk about mission and eternity. They study hard, would make lots of money, marry, see children and grand-children and die. In fact, they were born to die. This is life without Christ Jesus and mission.
Look at verse 28. Jesus said, “Among those born of women there is no one greater than John.” He's the greatest human ever to live. It was because he was a man of mission, the forerunner of Messiah.
Verse 28b says, “yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” We are greater than John the Baptist. Why is so? This is because we know forgiving grace of God through Jesus’ cross and resurrection. We know Jesus’ ascension, promise and eternal reward. These are things John didn’t know. We would not be greater John in terms of his mission and sacrificial spirit. However, we are greater than him because we know Jesus in his cross, resurrection, the Holy Spirit and eternal glory.
Look at verse 31. Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’
Here the first we are Jesus and his disciples and the second we are John the Baptist. John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine. John lived a 3 p life, poor, pure and pious. But they condemned him, “He is demon-possessed.” When he sang a dirge, they should have been remorseful and repentant with tears because of their sin and upcoming judgement of God. But they did not cry.
When Jesus came eating with sinners, they said, “He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” When Jesus and his disciples played the pipe for them, they should have accepted His invitation with joy and dancing. But they rejected saying they were busy.
They reject both John and Jesus. No response, no welcoming, this is real problem. Would you like to do Bible study? Would you join prayer meeting? Would you go to the spring retreat? Would you go out to campus to teach the Bible? If you respond and welcome it, you are blessed.
When you hear the message from John the Baptist and Jesus, the Lord, respond and welcome while you have life today. Some only study and have fun. Some work and have rest. When would they do the work of God?
By God’s grace I live as a prophet. I deliver the message of repentance and joy in Christ Jesus. I invite them again and again. Now I notice two types of people. One is people who need explanation or persuasion. I have to try hard to explain or persuade them. However, some people need neither explanations nor persuasion. Like the centurion, they just come, go and do. Did Jesus explain or persuade his disciples why they had to come, go and do? No. When he simply said, they exactly obeyed him. This is faith.
Faith is simple. Look at children’s playing. When they play the pipe for you, would you be serious and sorrowful? No. Rejoice with them dancing and eating together. When they sing a dirge, would you go to the library or watch movies or travel? No, you are to shed tears with them.
Look at verse 35. “Wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Who are wise? They are those who properly respond to the invitation of God.
I pray for you today. Live a life needing no explanation or persuasion. Live a life of responding and welcoming God’s invitation. When we go to Bible retreat, respond. When we worship and pray, come and join us. Then you will become wise and victorious. That is a life of faith.