Issue #182, June 1, 2016
We don’t expect strong leaders to have doubts. We expect them to have answers and great faith. But John the Baptist, the greatest prophet up to that time, had a period in which he wrestled with his faith in Jesus. John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me” (Luke 7:19-23). The last recorded words of this great leader expressed doubt. What can servant leaders learn from John about how to deal with doubt?
John acknowledged his doubt.
John received the report from his disciples that Jesus was doing a lot of miracles and crowds were following Him. This seems to us like good news as we focus on the life of Jesus. In fact, John had spoken earlier about Jesus with great certainty. He told his disciples, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God” (John 1:34). But those statements were made much earlier. Now John was in prison, locked up, and in a difficult place. Day after day, as he looked at the walls of his cell his doubts increased. He went from bold proclamation to deep desolation. His future was uncertain, his team was scattered, and he was no longer sure of all that he used to believe. His doubt was not on a small theological issue, he was now questioning the identity and mission of Jesus! Many leaders keep their doubts to themselves, afraid of what others would think if they would expose the struggles of their soul. But John helps us realize that servant leaders can acknowledge their doubt.
John asked for help.
Not only did John acknowledge the doubt in his heart, he called two of his disciples and asked them to go to Jesus for answers. John could not find answers to his questions alone. So he humbled himself before his followers and asked them to help him by going to Jesus for answers. This is the John who boldly confronted the religious leaders of his day and rebuked the king alone. But now, in the darkness of doubt he has the courage to ask for help, not an easy step for any leader. John shows us that it is possible to expose our need and ask those around us for help. Servant leaders are able to humbly ask for help with their doubts.
John accepted the answer.
John’s question was a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question. Was Jesus the one to come or should he expect someone else? Jesus was not surprised by his doubt, nor offended by John’s questions. Yet, He did not give an easy answer either! Essentially Jesus responded by saying, “Look at the evidence and make up your mind.” I imagine that when John’s disciples gave him that answer, his initial response was that Jesus didn’t answer his question! But John seems to accept Jesus’ answer and recognizes that answers to doubt are not usually easy or clear. Sometimes the issues we struggle with do not have easy answers and life refuses to fit into neat boxes. When a loved one dies, when someone we prayed for is not healed, or when we suffer loss and pain in our journey, there are no easy answers. Our faith is filled with paradoxes and so much that seems backwards to us. But John shows us that Jesus is present, hears our questions, and gives us the ability to accept His answers even when everything is not yet clear. Servant leaders accept the answers they receive after acknowledging their doubt and asking for help. They learn from John that doubt and leadership can exist together.
For further reflection and discussion:
- How have I dealt with doubt? Have I ignored it, denied it, or expressed it? What has been the result in my soul? How has the way I have responded to doubt changed my leadership and the way I view the doubts of others?
- What “lies” about doubt have I accepted as true and how has it changed my journey? (Consider common perceptions such as the following: “Leaders don’t question God.” “If I express doubt, others will believe I am not following Jesus.” “Jesus will be shocked or angry if He knew my doubts!”)
- What doubts do I have which I have been afraid to express? What keeps me from acknowledging these doubts? How can I imagine Jesus responding if I would express my doubts to him as John did with his?
- Who can help me with my doubt? Do I have others around me with whom I can openly share my struggles? If not, what do I need to do to develop relationships like this?
- Have I been able to accept answers to my doubt which do not seem complete? Am I able to live with some unanswered questions?
- Who do I know that struggles with doubt and how can I walk with them on their journey? What have I learned from John’s life that would be helpful to them?