JOHN THE BAPTIST/ DOUBTER

When it comes to faith and doubt, there are said to be three kinds of Christians. First, those who have already experienced doubt. Next, those who are yet to experience it. Lastly, those who are brain-dead. Which one are you, brother/sister? A believer who truly thinks and is committed to following Jesus cannot avoid moments where they will doubt, question, and feel uncertain. The Bible gives us many examples of this. One of them is John the Baptist.
John the Baptist’s story of faith and doubt is both remarkable and relatable. He was the one who prepared the people for the coming of the Messiah. He preached with such conviction and power that a great number of people were baptized and later believed in Christ. Even some of Christ’s apostles were once disciples of John! But while he was in prison, he sent his followers to ask Jesus directly if He was really the awaited Messiah or if they should expect someone else (Matt. 11:2–3).

He had personally encountered Jesus, witnessed the descent of the Holy Spirit on Him, and heard the voice of the Father (3:13–17). John knew about Christ’s miracles, but perhaps these were different from what he had expected the Messiah to do when he spoke of baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire (3:11). It seems that John expected Christ to eventually bring judgment and establish His kingdom—an earthly one. These were the kinds of actions expected of the Messiah in the last days. Perhaps John did not see in the present what he expected from Christ, and so he had to ask, just to be sure.

For Christ, His acts of healing and preaching were already part of establishing the future kingdom (11:4–6; cf. Isa. 35:5–6; 61:1). This is why Jesus mentioned the kingdom of heaven in the same context (11:12). After this incident, Christ expressed His judgment against unbelieving cities (11:20–24), and later in Acts, He would indeed baptize believers in the Holy Spirit. John’s understanding was not totally wrong. It’s just that in his present situation in prison, he did not see the whole picture. Jesus graciously gave him the proofs that there was no need to look for another.

Despite John’s moment of uncertainty, Jesus even commended him before the crowd, saying, “Among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist” (11:11). He even publicly recognized John as the prophesied Elijah (11:14; cf. Mal. 3:1; 4:5). This story teaches us two important truths: Even great people of faith can still experience doubts. And, we have a merciful Savior who will never forsake us, no matter what.

Some think that the opposite of faith is doubt, and therefore having doubt means lacking faith. But the true opposite of faith is not doubt—it is unbelief. We need to clearly distinguish the two. In his book God’s Outrageous Claims (2005), Lee Strobel explains: “...unbelief refers to a willful refusal to believe or a deliberate decision to disobey God. But to doubt is something different. When we doubt, we’re being indecisive or ambivalent over an issue. We haven’t come down squarely on the side of disbelief, but we’re up in the air over some questions or concerns.” In other words, unbelief is the deliberate choice to reject faith. Doubt, however, is simply being undecided or uncertain. Sincere believers should expect to experience doubts—the real question is how they will handle them.

John handled his question in the best possible way: he brought it to Jesus. That is exactly what we should do whenever we face uncertainties, so we may avoid falling into unbelief. In doing so, John received the assurance he needed. Christ’s response also calls us to be gracious: “Be merciful to those who doubt” (Jude 22). The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world can handle your doubt. 

Sources and Studies:

Walton, J. and, Keener C. (2016). “See footnotes for Matt 3:11”. 𝘕𝘐𝘝 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. (p. 1614). Zondervan
Walton, J. and, Keener C. (2016). “See footnotes for Matt 11:2-5”. 𝘕𝘐𝘝 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. (p. 1632). Zondervan
Strobel, L. (2005). “Outrageous Claim #7: A Dose of Doubt May Strengthen Your Faith” 𝘎𝘰𝘥’𝘴 𝘖𝘶𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘴. (pp. 122-140). Zondervan