The whole of the previous chapter was addressed to the twelve disciples in view of the difficulties and dangers they would meet with as the ministers of Christ, but it also has references to private christians, e.g. verse 22. From chapter 11 we learn that after sending the twelve off to preach, the Saviour made a tour on his own. At this time, John the Baptist was in prison for condemning Herod’s incestuous marriage. Feeling that he needed reassuring that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Christ, John sent two of his disciples to inquire. Luke’s account makes it clear that Christ’s first answer to these men was to perform a variety of miraculous cures, and then give the reply in verses four to six. Let us notice —
1. WHY JOHN WAS QUESTIONING THE IDENTITY OF JESUS.
Let us remind ourselves that John was sent by God to prepare the Jews for the coming of their Messiah by calling them to repentance. From the four Gospels we find that he recognised Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God, and the Lamb of God. It is likely that John understood more of the meaning of God’s Lamb than the disciples to whom he pointed out Jesus. It was not long, though, until John was imprisoned. His disciples would keep Him informed of events in the outside world, but what he heard of the activities of Jesus evidently raised doubts about his identity.
It would seem strange to John that Jesus had not declared Himself to be the Christ when the people were looking forward so much to the coming of that great deliverer. John would be surprised also that Jesus’s manner of life was lacking in the austerity that had marked His own. There would be concern also that there was no sign of anything being done about the taking away of sins which he himself had declared to be the Lamb’s great work. Neither had Jesus sent any message of encouragement to His persecuted servant. It would be a wonder also if indwelling sin and the workings of Satan were not raising unbelief, or at the least, depression of spirits. Some think that it was to relieve his disciples doubts that John sent this deputation, but I think there is enough evidence to show that John himself needed assurance.
2. HOW JOHN’S QUESTION WAS ANSWERED.
Luke says, “In that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.” This was a demonstration there and then of His Messianic power. Let John see it in that way and his other difficulties would be resolved in due course. If Jesus was indeed the Christ, He would do what Christ ought to do, in God’s time and way. For the present, let John remember that the Old Testament had foretold that Christ would be a notable healer and benefactor. Think of Isaiah 61: 1-3 which Jesus had quoted at Nazareth; “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath appointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Isaiah 35: 3-6 spoke in the same way of divine benevolence freely and powerfully shown towards the blind, the deaf, the lame, the dumb, and others. The cures were so numerous and so miraculous that the ordinary people argued, “When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done.” (John 7: 31)
Christ’s miracles were proofs that He was the Messiah and they also illustrated that He came to save His people from their sins. Is there not spiritual blindness, and inability to walk in the paths of righteousness, and loathsomely diseased souls, and heedless listening to God’s Word, yes, and spiritual death? Not only did Jesus work cures that had replicas in the spiritual sphere, but He addressed Himself directly to men’s spiritual needs — “and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Surely in this there was something directly in line with His being the Lamb which taketh away the sins of the world! Poor sinners, and especially the least advantaged among sinners, were being shown the way of salvation from sin.
This was the answer these two men were to take to John — a most satisfying proof that Jesus was the Christ.
3. THE TENDER ADMONITION
“Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Put in other words, it is, “Blessed is he whosoever shall believe in me, in spite of all he sees in me to hinder his believing.” We have seen that there were things that raised doubts in the mind of the poor captive. It would have been better if John had not doubted, but can the Lord’s people, conscious of their all-round spiritual frailty, strongly condemn the Baptist in his perilous and trying circumstances? See how tenderly the Saviour answered His servant! Mark carefully that there is a difference between doubting and disbelieving. Unbelief is a settled conviction that something should not be believed. Doubt is lack of conviction for want, for example, of evidence. What Jesus did was to provide John with the information he needed.
Many were offended with Christ while He was in his state of humiliation. The religious leaders, Pharisees and others hated Jesus for denouncing their sins and errors, and their misleading the people with regard to religion. The common people who looked for a temporal benefactor forsook Him when He made clear that he was not that sort of king. Even His disciples took offence at the idea of His dying. Thus, what had been foretold came true; “When we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” It is true still. Man in his hardness of heart is so opposed to God and His Christ that none of the proofs of His divinity and mediatorial office can melt and change him.
If it be asked, what it is today that gives offence as the Person and work of Christ revealed in Scripture come before sinners, several answers can be given.
(1) The world does not believe in Christ; there is overwhelming opinion against Him. And if we think of people in nominally Christian lands, they have been so prejudiced against Scripture and scriptural Christianity that they have become materialistic, secular and well-nigh godless. Christ’s unpopularity gives offence to those who follow the crowd.
(2) The religious world, the Visible Church, does not believe in the Christ of Scripture, nor Scripture itself. They are offended by the unintellectual and unscientific aspect of Apostolic and Reformed doctrine. The biblical Christ, Priest and sacrificial Lamb in one, is rejected.
(3) Being a Saviour from sin does not commend Christ to persons who regard only certain things as sin, and wish to continue living in the way that suits them, and with no fear of judgment to come.
(4) Coupled with the previous ground of offence is the opinion most have that biblical holiness is not for them, nor, for that matter, the Saviour from sin who makes men holy.
(5) When it is learned that Christ’s doctrine gives no credit to human works and merit, many are offended. Salvation by grace, the good news that offers sinners their only hope seems an insult to men’s pride.
(6) Along with that, when Christ says, “Ye must be born again,” and this is seen to mean that we are so sinful and morally ruined that only divine power can change us for the better, men are offended. It is no wonder that Christ’s verdict upon men in their sinful state is, “And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. — And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5: 38-40)
Yet, if the text warns that men in a state of nature will be offended by Christ, it also says that there are a blessed number who are not offended but, on the contrary, are in the highest sense pleased with Christ.
(1) They understand that Christ’s unpopularity with the world has its basis in universal sinfulness that is diametrically opposed to the Saviour’s divine goodness. They themselves were one of the world and know now what sort of God-hating nature they had then.
(2) They have been taught by the Holy Spirit that God’s Word is truth, and that man’s own thoughts on spiritual matters are vanity.
(3) Their hope for eternity is that Christ saves from the guilt and power of sin and makes men holy.
(4) Knowing something of the wickedness and vileness of sin, they long for holiness and strive after it.
(5) They see their once-fancied righteousness to be like filthy rags.
(6) They are amazed that God chose them, and thankful that He effectually called them to be new creatures in Christ Jesus. They also know how much they depend on the Holy Spirit.
So far from being offended in Christ, they love Him because He first loved them. They adore Him as God, and as their blessed Saviour who will save them to the uttermost. Their confession is:—
“My God, my strength, whom I will trust,
a buckler unto me,
The horn of my salvation,
and my tow’r is he.
Upon the Lord who worthy is
of praises will I cry;
And then shall I preserved be
safe from mine enemy.”
(Psalm 18: 2-3)
Offended? Never! The wonder is that Christ does not take offence at them. But He forgives unto seventy times seven. “Bless the Lord, O my soul . . . who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.”
Where do we stand? Offended or delighted?