February 3

Matthew 11:1-19 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

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?" Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 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. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Matthew 11:2-6

Observation

Doubt. Honest doubt. I don't know what John the Baptist could have been thinking, locked up by the scheming tyrant. Is this how it ends? What if He is not the One? What I see here is that doubt is a pretty universal human thing. Jesus does not scold or criticize John. On the contrary, he speaks of him in the highest terms and yet gently reminds John (through his disciples) to think objectively, to remember what he saw and heard, and not to doubt.

Application

I will give thanks to the savior who is patient with me, with my failings. And I will reach into my memories to be reminded of my first love and strive not to fall away.

Prayer

Thank you Lord, for the relationship that you sustain with me. In spite of all my failings and the fact that I often stray, you are patient and consistently bring me back to you. Help me Lord to respond to you with faithfulness.

--John Hong