The Answer to Doubt – What Does This Mean?

Dear saints, when we first meet John the Baptist, he is in the wilderness calling for the people to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He wore strange clothing. He ate an odd diet. And many came out to him. They listened to him and many were convicted of their sins, they repented, and they were baptized into the forgiveness of sins. Even when confronted by the Pharisees, John was bold in his confession. He was unafraid to let them know of their wickedness and call them also to repent. Something they did not think they needed to do. We will hear more about John’s confession next week

But it was not only his people that John was bold to preach God’s Law to. He also took it to the secular authorities. And that is why we find him in prison this morning. He stood up to Herod and called him to repent of his sinful and immoral marriage to his brother’s wife. It landed him in prison.

While in prison, he hears of what the Christ is doing. The same one who he boldly confessed to be the Lamb of God who has come to take away the sin of the world. But now, as he sits in prison, he sends some of his disciples to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” There is debate among Christians on whether John sent these disciples because of his own doubt or because he was trying to encourage them to leave him and follow Jesus. I am not sure why, in this case, it is not both.

Surely John had to be struggling. He was God’s prophet and literally pointed to God’s Christ. But, because he knew he was a prophet, he also would not have been surprised that he was persecuted. To top it off, John had proclaimed certain things that Jesus would do. John said that Jesus would have the winnowing fork in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.

But what does John hear? That Jesus is kind and compassionate. He dines with sinners. He heals the sick. Yes, he engages with and calls the Pharisees to repent, but it is not the fiery destruction that John apparently expected. And so, it would not be surprising that John would have some doubt about Jesus. Perhaps he thinks to himself, “I know who he is supposed to be. But I’m just not seeing it right now.” So, he sends his disciples and they ask if Jesus is the One who is coming.

When these disciples come and ask Jesus the question, it would make sense for Jesus to act like that man with the winnowing fork in his hands. It would make sense for a ‘fire and brimstone’ Jesus to condemn John for daring to have doubts. For questioning who Jesus is. But this is not what happens. Instead, Jesus speaks to the disciples sent by John with love and compassion. The text makes it sound like Jesus was teaching and healing as these disciples approached. And so when he turns to them and answers John’s question he says, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

The response was not condemnation for having expectations that Jesus was not living up to. Instead, it was referencing the prophecies and promises of Isaiah. Isaiah spoke God’s Law to the people. He called them to repent. And to those who believed and had faith in the Lord, he also proclaimed God’s abundant mercy. Jesus tells John, through his disciples, that he is exactly who John thought he was. He is the Christ. He is the one with the winnowing fork. But it is not time for the fork to be wielded.

Jesus was saying that now is the time for a preaching of repentance. Now is a time for healing. For forgiving. The time for the dead, both physically and spiritually, to be raised. And the one who is blessed is the one who is not ashamed of Jesus.

Things are not too different today. It is still the time for the preaching of repentance. It is still a time for healing. Today it is a spiritual healing that we provide. It is the spiritual life that is resurrected. Through the preaching of the Word, ears are opened and the deaf hear. The blinders are lifted, and people can see.

It is easy for us to look at the people in the Bible and feel superior to them. Why didn’t Israel stay faithful as they left Egypt? How could they reject God and his judges and seek an earthly king? How could John not see that Jesus is exactly who he said he was the first time Jesus approached in the desert? Well, because they are human and sinful. We, as they did, have ideas of what is supposed to happen. When it does not, we quickly question, doubt, or blame. And thankfully, Jesus is not waiting with a winnowing fork to toss us into the fire.

There are those today who say that doubt is better than faith. This is false. They assert that questioning God is an act of faith. That is ridiculous. It is sinful. But that is not to say that a Christian who has faith will never doubt. We see it this morning with John. He knows who Jesus is, but he does not see things working out like he thought they would. Another example is the Father of the boy with an unclean spirit. He asks Jesus if he can help. When Jesus replies that

Fear and doubt are no strangers to the Christian. Fear is a natural response to a serious illness. Doubt can creep into the minds of those with the strongest faith. Even after the resurrection, there was fear and doubt in the disciples. Even as they worshipped Jesus as their Lord and God. Sometimes it is hard to wrap your head around some of what we believe, teach, and confess:

How can the water of baptism do such great things? As you know, it is not the water, but it is the water with the word of God in and with the water. In other words, it is because of God’s promise attached to that water. We know this. We believe this. But I also remember a time that I had my doubts about it.

When you doubt, you are free to go to your Savior and tell them to him. You are free to express your doubt, your frustration, your fears. And when you do, you do not have to worry about an angry God ready and looking for a reason to destroy you. You find a loving God who desires his children to have a healthy fear and to trust that he is working all things out for the good of those who love him.

The reason you can be sure of this is because of John’s words about Jesus the first time he saw him in the wilderness. Jesus is the Lamb of God who has come to take away the sins of the world. He came as the babe in Bethlehem to be a sacrifice. He came to Jerusalem to be your atonement. To be your liberator from the slavery of sin, death, and the devil. He took his seat on his throne when he was lifted upon the cross. Where his blood flowed, forgiveness was won, and salvation was accomplished.

Jesus had no condemnation for John as John’s disciples left to return to him. Instead, Jesus had praise for him: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet…Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.” This was said for John’s disciples to hear. So that they would relay it to John as well.

There is no rebuke for John, but that does not mean you can doubt everything. When Peter scoffs as Jesus says that he must suffer and die, a swift and stern rebuke comes. When Zechariah doubts the angel Gabriel’s word that Elizabeth will have a son, he is struck mute. This doubt was faithless. Yet Mary’s questioning of Gabriel did not bring rebuke. It was a doubt of wonder. It was like she said, “I know what you say will come to pass, but I don’t understand how…”

We prayed this morning that God would “hear our prayers” and “lighten the darkness of our hearts.” God hears our prayers, and he lightens the darkness. He does so as he gives sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. That is, he delivers faith to those who do not know him. He strengthens faith in those who trust in him yet struggle. And this gives us joy. And in joy, we anticipate his coming. Not just as we remember him born of the Virgin, and not only in his promised return. But we have joy even today as we anticipate and enjoy his presence here in our midst. As he comes in his Body and Blood to feed and nourish you. To forgive your sins. To strengthen your faith in the hearing of his Holy Word. To be the answer to all your doubt.

And so, as the name of our Sunday invites us to do, let us Rejoice in the Lord always. For he has come to us and for us. He has covered our sin and has forgiven our iniquity. He speaks to us peace and revives us in body and soul. Again I will say, Rejoice. Amen.

Rev. Brent Keller
Peace Lutheran Church
Alcester, SD