Shall We Look For Another?

“The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”” Luke 7:18–19 ESV

Have you ever felt like Jesus forgot you—let you down, or disappointed you? You’re not alone. John, the cousin of Jesus, understood those feelings well.

While Jesus was out ministering, healing, and fulfilling the prophecies about the Messiah, John had been arrested and imprisoned for speaking against Herod’s marriage.

Like many in his day, John had a picture in his mind of what the Messiah would be—a warrior who would overthrow the rulers of the time. And while Jesus absolutely fulfilled the prophecies about His life, He didn’t do it in the way people expected. Scripture shows us how Jesus responded to John’s question:

“In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 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, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”” Luke 7:21–23 ESV

Jesus simply says, “Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

There is no other. Jesus is the One. He is our Savior and our God. In his disappointment, John could have lost sight of what had been true all along: Jesus is the One who was to come.

And this is what Jesus said about John, in addition to His message to John’s disciples:

“I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7:28 ESV

Even though John felt forgotten, discouraged, and disappointed, Jesus was still mindful of him. In his darkest moment, Jesus still spoke words of honor and encouragement.

So it is with us. You may find yourself in a season where disappointment tempts you to look for another—another solution, another source of hope, another savior. Don’t let it. Hold to the promise that Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life,” and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

My prayer for you today is that you wouldn’t be offended by Jesus—as John was tempted to be in that moment—but that you would place your hope and confidence in Him, even when life doesn’t look the way you imagined.

Prayer:
Jesus, I pray for my friends today. Some are in difficult places, pondering the same question John asked: “Shall we look for another?” We know the answer is “No.” God, would You be a source of strength, peace, and hope in the middle of life’s greatest challenges? Your Word teaches us that if You are for us, who can stand against us? Help us not be offended by You. Help us put our full faith, confidence, and trust in You. In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.