Is it wrong to feel that way? Is it unspiritual to have those kinds of questions, maybe even some pretty serious doubts about your faith?
When Life Goes South, It’s Natural to Have Some Doubts About God’s Plan (v. 2-6)
John the Baptist found himself in a dirty, stinking Roman prison because he confronted Herod Antipas, the governor of Galilee, for committing the sin of adultery with his brother’s wife. And as he was laying there — languishing in prison for doing the right thing — he hears about what his cousin, Jesus, is doing — or not doing. So he sends some of his own followers to ask Him: Are you the one who was to come or should we expect someone else?
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Now, from our perspective, this question seems a bit strange or, at worst, a bizarre expression of unbelief. After all, Jesus was preaching the Gospel and healing people, so why would the Baptist even raise the issue? But if we understand the history of the ancient world and the Messianic expectations of the Jews at this time, his question takes on a whole new meaning.
The primary cultural idol of the ancient world was Alexander the Great, who lived about 350 years before the time of Jesus. Within the span of about ten years, Alexander and his army conquered what today comprises Turkey, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and parts of India. He was named the Great because in the ancient world he was considered the most dynamic person who ever lived.
In addition to that widely accepted view, the Jews were consumed with a vision of the Messiah rooted in their greatest king, David. If ever there was a mighty warrior, it was David — the man who slew Goliath with a slingshot, outlasted Saul who tried to hunt him down, defeated the Philistines, conquered Jerusalem, and made Israel into a great power a thousand years before Christ. According to their understanding of the Old Testament scriptures, the Messiah was to be a descendent of David and by the time of Jesus, the popular view was that He would overthrow the Romans, take over the Temple and set Israel free from her oppressors.
Since the time he was a child John believed that, so he has some strong expectations of how the Messiah was supposed to act. The problem, from John’s perspective, is that Jesus is isn’t going around destroying wicked people, conquering the country or getting him out of prison. He’s just walking around Galilee preaching sermons, healing some sick people and having fun with His disciples. So the Baptist verbally expresses his doubts.
Jesus responds by telling John’s disciples to report back what they’ve heard and seen: “The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf can hear, the dead are raised and the gospel is preached to the poor.” In other words, He says, ‘The facts speak for themselves.’