
“Are you the one or should we expect someone else” - Matthew 11: 3
How many of us have thought this? It may have been someone we were dating in college or someone we were considering for employment.
John the Baptist was sitting in prison. He had been hearing stories of how Jesus was talking about peace and forgiveness, loving your neighbor, curing the sick, healing the blind and deaf, raising the dead. This isn’t what John had expected! He believed the Messiah would come to seek revenge and punishment for the wicked and unbelievers. His expectations did not match the plan of God. And he began to question, became depressed and began to doubt. These are often our reactions when our expectations are not realized in life. If John had these feelings as he waited for the Messiah is it unusual that we should not have the same emotions?
It is not only okay to feel depressed, question as we explore our faith, it is acceptable to have doubts and questions. It is through these emotions that we are able to form an intelligent expectation of our trust and hope through Jesus Christ and realize there is no need to continue the search. Search other religions and you will find that no other faith is based on the death and resurrection of their Savior. He is the one!
Jesus, hope of life, lead us in understanding your teachings so we will no longer question and feel depressed in our expectations and waiting for your appearance. Amen.
Brian Campbell
WIS VP
Bethany, Emmetsburg
How many of us have thought this? It may have been someone we were dating in college or someone we were considering for employment.
John the Baptist was sitting in prison. He had been hearing stories of how Jesus was talking about peace and forgiveness, loving your neighbor, curing the sick, healing the blind and deaf, raising the dead. This isn’t what John had expected! He believed the Messiah would come to seek revenge and punishment for the wicked and unbelievers. His expectations did not match the plan of God. And he began to question, became depressed and began to doubt. These are often our reactions when our expectations are not realized in life. If John had these feelings as he waited for the Messiah is it unusual that we should not have the same emotions?
It is not only okay to feel depressed, question as we explore our faith, it is acceptable to have doubts and questions. It is through these emotions that we are able to form an intelligent expectation of our trust and hope through Jesus Christ and realize there is no need to continue the search. Search other religions and you will find that no other faith is based on the death and resurrection of their Savior. He is the one!
Jesus, hope of life, lead us in understanding your teachings so we will no longer question and feel depressed in our expectations and waiting for your appearance. Amen.
Brian Campbell
WIS VP
Bethany, Emmetsburg