Mike Focht 4/17/2026
John the Baptist was one of the most confident men who ever lived. Heaven announced his birth, his name was given by angels, his conception was a miracle, and his ministry was both prophetic and the fulfillment of prophecy! John knew who he was and who he wasn’t. He could clearly declare that he was not the Messiah. He was a messenger of the Messiah, paving the way for His soon coming. Ultimately, he pointed at Jesus and said, Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
But when we find John in Herod’s prison, something has changed. The man who was once so confident and sure is now in a place he never imagined he would be. He is doubting and discouraged. Jesus is not exactly the Messiah he imagined. John isn’t made of holy iron; he, too, is dust and clay, a fallible human like the rest of us. Once he had pointed at Jesus and sent disciples after Him, but now he is sending disciples to Jesus, asking, Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?
Jesus’ actions and ministry shattered John’s expectations. He was, on some level, offended at Jesus. The same will happen in all of our lives, no matter how confident we feel in our walk with Christ. Every disciple must accept the fact that our expectations may not be God’s plan. We don’t have any unspoken “agreements” or “contracts” with Him. It is certainly wonderful when our plans align—as they do in many ways—but they will not always align (both positively and negatively)! Are we offended in Jesus Christ when we do not understand what He is doing? Even the humblest servants can find themselves discouraged at the mysterious actions of God.
What message does Jesus send back to His wounded and wavering friend? Jesus recounts the miracles that the Word of God prophesied would be signs of the Messiah’s ministry, and then said, And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me (Luke 7:23). It was a comfort and a challenge to John. Humble yourself and accept the will of God. He is exactly who He always claimed He would be.
I believe Jesus spoke to John so directly because that was what John needed. John didn’t need someone to soften the blow. He needed truth. Solid, foundational, life-worthy truth. Jesus’ challenge was not harsh. It was pure love. His promise of blessing would be iron to John’s blood—especially in the face of martyrdom. Were they not both called to a similar ministry, a similar short service of life and death? They were servants of whom the world was not worthy, and never understood, who unjustly died at the hands of wicked sinners.
Jesus would later say of John the Baptist, He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light (John 5:35). All of us, at times, need this stern yet solidifying challenge. We need to trust that God has a blessing for us beyond the offence. Will we continue to trust and serve Jesus, or will we be offended at His will and turn from Him to look for another? Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.
There is one other thing we must not overlook. Read on and see what Jesus says of John after John’s disciples leave. Jesus’ speech to John and about John are so different! Jesus exalts this man in his time of struggle, doubt, and hardship more than He ever praised him when his ministry flourished in the public eye. The times of offence in our lives, when doubt and hurt cloud our thoughts, may end up being the times our simple child-like faith most pleases Jesus.