Discouragement (Matthew 11:3)

Selected before birth to be a prophet.

Raised by a high priest.

A cousin of Jesus Christ.

He is John the Baptist!

The angel Gabriel, prophesied to John’s father, Zechariah, that John would go in the power and spirit of Elijah and turn hearts toward the Messiah.  John, himself, preached a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. With all these credentials, expectations ran very high amongst the Jews for John and his teachings. Some even thought he was the Messiah. John certainly believed his mission. Yet, within a short period of time after he baptized Jesus Christ, John was imprisoned, his ministry seemingly at an end.  During this time, he asked his disciples to inquire of Jesus,

"Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?"

Matthew 11:3 (ESV)

Discouragement.

What do we do when circumstances do not appear to be going the way we planned? What do we do when all of our preparations seem to be wasted? What do we do when all of our training and credentials cannot help us?

This is Jesus’ answer to John, his disciples, and us.

And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.  And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

Matthew 11:4-6 (ESV)

In times of discouragement, Jesus instructs us with the following:

-Remember what He has done for us.

-Remember what God’s Word teaches and the promises He keeps.

-Look to serve others first.

-Forget about what you think you should be doing or what the world expects of you and focus upon God.

-All birthrights, credentials, titles, and prior accomplishments only have meaning if they point others to Jesus.

John was discouraged. He may not have understood why everything was happening to him. But He trusted God and proclaimed to his followers:

He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3:30 (ESV)

What is cure for discouragement? Take your focus off yourself and look to Jesus Christ and His promises. Serve Him and others first.

He must increase and we must decrease.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.