Jesus said of John the Baptist that not one had risen greater than he (:11). Yet even this great man began to doubt when he was locked up in the dungeons of Herod’s palace. And who is to reproach him? Only those who have withstood terrible ordeals themselves, will be able to understand this somewhat.
John did not suppress his doubts; he honestly confessed them to his disciples and they approached Jesus with this problem.
Jesus did not reproach John at all. He even praised him before the people around Him. But to John’s disciples He said, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see’, and then Jesus quoted three verses from Isaiah that clearly refer to the coming of the Messiah. These verses from Isaiah were wonderfully fulfilled before the eyes of everybody present in the words and works of Jesus of Nazareth. And that had to be the comfort for John, who was never to see daylight again.
When find ourselves in severe trials, let us seek comfort first of all in the reality of the word of God. In these days of weak faith, we will be freed from doubt when we focus our thoughts on the fulfillment of the prophecies. Then we will expect more, yes everything, from Jesus.
He not only proved to be the promised Messiah in His words and deeds two thousand years ago. Also now - in His resurrection from the dead - He wants to redeem us so absolutely from all affliction, yes, He wants to redeem everyone who looks upon Him in faith.