A Year with Jesus #18

What Do You Do When Jesus Doesn’t Live Up to Your Expectations

Luke 7:18-35

• On Palm Sunday the people were anticipating the arrival of the Messiah.

Matthew 21:5 (NIV) 5 “Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'”

• What the people did not understand was that the Messiah was coming twice.

Hebrews 9:28 (NIV) 28 …Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

• Their Messiah did not live up to their expectations.

• When John was in prison he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus the following:

Luke 7:19 (NIV) 19 …“Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

I. John’s Doubts About Jesus

Luke 7:17-19 (NIV) 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. 18 John's disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

A. We battle doubts

B. John battled doubts

1. John wondered why Jesus wasn’t judging the enemies of God?

2. John wondered why he was languishing in prison with no help from Jesus?

C. God’s sovereignty is a great blessing

Psalm 115:3 (NIV) 3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.

D. God’s sovereignty can be perplexing

“Contrary to popular opinion, doubting is a normal, healthy, perhaps even necessary experience in spiritual growth.” Charles Swindoll

II. Jesus’ Response to John

A. Jesus tells John that He is doing the work of the Messiah

Luke 7:22-23 (NIV) 22 …"Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: 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.

Luke 7:23 (NIV) 23 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

B. Jesus tells John, “Blessed is the man who is not offended by Me”

C. Jesus paid tribute to John

Luke 7:24-28 (NIV) 24 After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written: "‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

Conclusion: John never had the complete picture of Jesus’ mission