In Luke 7:18–35, John the Baptist, sitting in prison and feeling forgotten, sends messengers to ask Jesus if He is truly the Messiah. Jesus responds not with rebuke but with evidence—pointing to the blind seeing, the lame walking, the deaf hearing, the dead being raised, and good news preached to the poor. Even the greatest prophet had moments of doubt, yet Jesus met him with compassion and assurance. This reminds us that our doubts and struggles don’t disqualify us from God’s love; instead, they are moments where Jesus holds on to us, even when our grip feels weak.

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Good morning. It’s good to be with you on this Wednesday as we continue in our time in Luke’s Gospel. Today, we have a really good and, I think, informative passage to read. This is good stuff — I think it’s going to meet us right where we live. Some of us may especially appreciate what we hear from John the Baptist, and from Jesus’ response to him.

Let’s read Luke 7:18–35.

The disciples of John reported all these things to him.
(Remember, John’s in prison — back in chapter 3 we read that Herod had arrested him.)

So John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’” Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. 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, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

All the people who heard this, including the tax collectors, acknowledged the justice of God, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. But by refusing to be baptized by him, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves.

“To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace calling to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

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Let’s unpack what’s happening.

John the Baptist is in prison (Luke 3:18–20 tells us Herod locked him up for confronting him about Herodias and his evil deeds).

Luke’s Gospel gives a lot of space to John the Baptist. Chapter 1 tells of his birth being foretold before Jesus’ birth is announced. We see Mary visiting Elizabeth, and John leaping in the womb when near Jesus. We read about his birth, his father’s prophecy, his Spirit-filled ministry, and the way he pointed to Jesus.

John was the first to recognize Jesus — even in the womb. His job was to prepare the way for the Messiah. Yet here he is, sitting in prison, alone, feeling forgotten. And he sends messengers to ask: “Are you the one? Or should we expect another?”

You ever have doubts? You ever think, “Lord, did I get this right? I thought you called me to this, but it’s not making sense now.” If so, you’re in good company — even John the Baptist was there.

Despite everything he’d experienced, John had a moment of doubt. And Jesus’ response? He doesn’t condemn him. He doesn’t say, “Tell John he’s out.” Instead, he says, “Go tell him what you’ve seen — the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news preached to them.” In other words, Yes, John. I am the one.

Same with Thomas in John’s Gospel — Jesus didn’t reject him for doubting; he invited him to see and touch for himself.

Friend, Jesus doesn’t give up on you either. When you face moments of fear, uncertainty, or doubt — when you feel forsaken — remember, it’s not about your strength to hold on to Jesus. It’s about His strength to hold on to you.

Your struggles don’t invalidate God’s love. They don’t erase your faith. They don’t cancel your faithfulness. They remind us we’re human.

So today, if you’re in a season of doubt or pain, hear this: Jesus is still holding you.

Tomorrow, we’ll pick up with Luke 7:36. Have a great day.