A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Not Fall Away on Account of Jesus"
We don’t expect this from him. There are others that such doubt and questioning is expected, but not John the Baptist. There he sat in prison aware that his life would soon be taken from him and the question began to haunt him. “Is Jesus the Christ?” He had the awesome responsibility and privilege of paving the way for Jesus, of announcing His arrival, and introducing Him to the world as he baptized Him that special day. Now deep within the prison walls he wonders and sends word to Jesus; “are you the one or should we be expecting another?”  Jesus did not rebuke, but with understanding and compassion instructs the messengers to return to John and report to him what they had seen and heard. Jesus words and life testified to the fact that He was indeed the One and John could be confident in this. (Luke 7:18-23)

Though not expected, we are not taken back by John’s moments of doubt. Who could blame him for the questioning under such circumstances? But Jesus words following His instructions to the messengers leap out of the account grabbing our attention; “Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of me.” Wait a minute; fall away on account of Jesus? How could this be? How could someone fall away - walk away - leave the faith on account of Jesus? Doesn’t our faith find its rest in Him? What can He mean by this?

Once we get over the shock of the words, we can begin to gain some understanding of His statement. The fact is that we have preconceived ideas about who Jesus is and how He should do things. When He doesn’t meet those expectations many walk away muttering how He has let them down. We call out to Jesus asking Him to perform in a certain way and when he responds differently than requested, some write Him off. We see inexplicable things happen knowing that Jesus could have intervened and because He didn’t intervene as we think He should we question His love; His power; His promises. We just don’t understand why He did or didn’t do as expected, as desired, or as we believe God should and our lack of understanding overrules our faith. Yes, it is not only possible, far too many have fallen away because of Jesus.

But hear Jesus’ blessing and promise once again; “Blessed are those who do not fall away on account of me.” Blessed are those who recognize that understand can booster one’s faith, but it must never be allowed to determine one’s faith. Blessed is the one who releases their preconceptions allowing Jesus to be Who He is and act according to His divine will and way. Blessed is the one who relaxes in the reality that God does know best and we don’t have to understand to trust Him. Blessed is the one who goes to Jesus with their doubt and questions allowing His life and love to quiet their troubled minds and hearts. Blessed is the one who finds solace amidst the troubling times in the Word of God incarnate in Jesus. Blessed is the one whose faith is in Jesus and not what Jesus can or will do. Blessed are those who do as the writer of Hebrews entreats: “fix their eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Beloved, let us not fall away on account of Him. Rather let us run to Him, embrace Him, yield to Him, and trust Him. This is where the blessing and fullness is found.

Keep Close to Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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