Jesus said of John, “Among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist” (Luke 7:28). Christ dignified this godly man. He was the one who would lay a straight path before the Messiah, in preparation for his coming: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3).
We know that John was a student of Isaiah’s prophecies. The word that came to him could be traced to Isaiah’s writings, and John referred to Isaiah when the priests and Levites asked him to identify himself. When they inquired, “Who are you, really?” John always answered, “I am not the Christ” (John 1:20). Finally, when pressed further, he identified himself as the one about whom Isaiah prophesied: “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” (John 1:23).
John the Baptist was anxious to confirm that Jesus was the Messiah. John’s followers were filled with reverence for Jesus as they described all the works he was performing, yet somewhere along the way doubt began to grip John’s heart. In spite of all the miracles Christ had performed, something troubled this godly man’s soul. The same devil who tempted Jesus in the wilderness is the one who attempted to destroy John’s faith.
Jesus knew that John was human, and no matter how powerfully anointed he was, he was still subject to all the feelings and passions that are common to man. Christ knew John was in danger of being overwhelmed by doubt. Jesus had been through the same test himself, during his forty days in the wilderness, and he was able to tell John, “The devil is setting you up. But you cannot entertain his lies.”
John received Jesus’ message to him, which was, in essence, “John, there awaits a blessing of faith and reassurance for you if you will resist Satan’s lie. Do not allow unbelief about who I am to take root in you.”
Right now, Satan wants you to be anxious about God’s promises concerning your life, your family, your future, your ministry. In a word, the enemy wants you to give up.
Beloved, God is doing a work in you. John took his doubt directly to Jesus and Jesus gave him exactly what he needed. Likewise, hold on in faith and you will see his perfect work completed in your soul.