Sightseeing and Questions for God

Before the lockdown, here in Jordan, we did get to do a little sightseeing - we went to the Dead Sea, which is the lowest place on earth - 1300 feet below sea level.

Then we took a very windy road up the mountain to the ruins of Machaerus, one of Herod’s fortified palaces. This is where John the Baptist was held prisoner after criticizing Herod for unlawfully marrying his own brother’s wife.

It was from this prison that John sent his disciples to ask Jesus a question, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” This may sound like an odd question since John’s earlier ministry was all about proclaiming Jesus as the one whose sandals he was unworthy to untie and the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. 

John understood that his role was to prepare the way for the Lord, but now he has some serious doubts. It doesn’t take long to figure out why. He is in prison and Herod seems to have more power and authority than Jesus.

So how do we maintain faith in God when the circumstances of life are going in the wrong direction? Why are we stuck in our homes? Why is this virus so widespread? Why is there so much sickness and death? John might have asked, why am I in prison?

Jesus responded with these words, “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 7:22

In other words, “Look for the miracles.” In spite of all the bad that is happening, God is still at work doing good. Bad and good, evil and righteousness, can occur at the same time. The challenge for us is which will we focus on the most. 

Jesus didn’t come to take away evil and suffering, he came to defeat it. And he would do this with his own suffering and his ultimate victory at the cross. He gave us this promise, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

So while the world is in chaos, let us look for miracles and see what God is going to do next.

Learning from Jesus together with you,

Pastor Mike

Note: For additional blog posts in this series, go to Lessons from Jordan on our webpage.