diff --git a/content/bible_journal/luke_7:18-23.md b/content/bible_journal/luke_7:18-23.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..aa25ee4 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/luke_7:18-23.md @@ -0,0 +1,32 @@ ++++ +title = "Luke 7:18–23" +date = "2022-11-17" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk7.18-23) + +John the Baptist (who has been imprisoned by Herod, remember) hears the reports +of the miracles Jesus has been performing. And then he does something strange, +because he seemed to know exactly who Jesus was when he baptized Him. He sends +his disciples to ask Jesus if He really is the promised Messiah. + +Some historical context is helpful here. At that time, most of the Jews thought +the Messiah was going to raise an army to expel the Roman invaders, restore the +kingdom of Israel, and sit on the throne of his father David to rule like he +did. Except for defeating the Romans, Jesus is going to rule over the nations +like that…eventually. This may not have been John's view, though, +because he had been preaching to encourage the people to repent because +judgement was coming. Perhaps he thought Jesus had come to bring about the +judgement of God upon sinful humanity and was wondering when He'd get on with +it. And Jesus is going to do that…eventually. + +Verse 21 tells us that in the same hour that John's disciples asked Jesus their +question, Jesus healed many people of various afflictions. Jesus says to them +to tell John what they have seen and heard, because they were certainly witness +to these things. The words He uses are allusions to passages in Isaiah that +talk of the restoration of Israel. So Jesus is saying to them "I am the One you +are waiting for; see the deeds I am here to do." + +* * * + +We look forward to Your return, King Jesus. Make us ready to receive You.