On Faith

Matt 11:2-3 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples
to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

There was a Lutheran pastor by the name of Wurmbrandt, who, back in the 60's was a prisoner behind the Iron Curtain. In prison, when he wouldn't renounce Jesus as his Savior, they broke the bones in his fingers as well as other bones. And then they just left him there. After his freedom Pastor Wurmbrandt moved to the United States. He said that it was faith that kept him going.

Faith in what? How does one make it through the night? Frank Sinatra said, it makes no difference, some use Scotch, some use religion. Jesus knows how John the Baptist, the man in prison will make it. No matter what storms may be blowing, He knows that John, hearing the words of reassurance about the kingdom of God, would not be shaken. What are those words? The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the Good News is preached to the poor. These are the words of the one true God who has given us faith in Him , the faith that trust that in all things God is working out a plan for our lives. That plan will always have our best interest in mind.

John's question, are You the one, doesn't mean John was a bad disciple. It was a question coming from a man in prison with real fears and emotions just like we all have at times. At one time or another we all are imprisoned by something. Are You the One Jesus? In other words, God, I believe help my unbelief, right now I wonder about You? And the same God comes to us in His Word and reassures us with wonderful news of His love for us and His promise to guide and protect.

I close with these words from John Henry Newman's Lead Kindly Light. He wrote them after coming through a prison of doubt. The night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead Thou me on. Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see, the distant scene, one step enough for me.

If you need help with that one step Project 52 is here willing to help you through prisons of any kind.

In Christ,
Pastor John