John the Baptist: Joy in Suffering, Doubt, Trust

Devotional

Day 1: True Joy Comes from Making Jesus Greater

John the Baptist found his deepest joy not in personal success or recognition, but in pointing others to Jesus and stepping back so Christ could take center stage. Even as his own followers left him to follow Jesus, John declared, “He must become greater; I must become less,” showing that real joy is found in surrendering our own ambitions and letting God’s purposes shine through us. This kind of joy is not dependent on circumstances or popularity, but on the contentment that comes from fulfilling God’s calling, no matter the cost. When we pray for Jesus to become greater in our lives, we open ourselves to a joy that the world cannot offer, even if it means becoming less in the eyes of others. Will you dare to pray this dangerous but freeing prayer today? [10:03]

John 3:27-30 (ESV)
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God inviting you to step back so that Jesus can become greater, and how might that shift your sense of joy or purpose?

Day 2: God’s Answers to Prayer Are Not Always What We Want

John the Baptist, though faithful and obedient, found himself in a dungeon for a year, ultimately facing death, even as he had done everything God asked of him. Sometimes, God’s answer to our prayers is “no,” “wait,” “grow,” or “go,” rather than the “yes” we long for. This does not mean God is absent or uncaring; rather, He sees what we cannot and works for our ultimate good, even through disappointment and pain. The world tells us that joy comes from getting what we want, but true joy is found in trusting God’s wisdom and sovereignty, even when His answer is not what we hoped. Blessed is the one who is not offended by God’s ways, but continues to trust and believe. [27:25]

Matthew 14:3-12 (ESV)
For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Reflection: When God’s answer to your prayer is “no” or “wait,” how do you typically respond, and what would it look like to trust Him with your disappointment?

Day 3: Doubt Is a Normal Part of Faith

Even John the Baptist, called the greatest by Jesus, experienced doubt while in prison, wondering if Jesus was truly the One. Doubt is not a sign of failure or weak faith; it is a normal, human response to pain, confusion, or unmet expectations. Jesus does not shame those who doubt, but meets them with encouragement and truth, inviting us to bring our questions and struggles to Him. Rather than letting doubt take up permanent residence in our hearts, we are called to move toward Jesus and community, trusting that He is patient and merciful with our uncertainties. You are not alone in your doubts—God anticipates them and welcomes you to bring them honestly before Him. [19:25]

Luke 7:18-23 (ESV)
The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Reflection: What doubts or questions are you carrying right now, and how might you bring them honestly to Jesus, trusting that He will meet you with patience and encouragement?

Day 4: God’s Presence Remains Even When He Feels Distant

There are seasons when it seems like God is silent or far away, especially in times of suffering or disappointment, just as Jesus did not rescue John from prison. Yet, Scripture assures us that Jesus sees, knows, and cares for us, even when His actions are not what we expect. His apparent absence is not abandonment; sometimes, He withdraws to grieve with us, and His eye is always on us, just as it is on the sparrow. The only thing worse than disappointment with God is trying to navigate disappointment without Him—He invites us to bring our pain, tears, and questions to Him, trusting that He is still at work. Even when the answer is “no,” God can use our story for His glory and our good. [30:51]

Matthew 10:29-31 (ESV)
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

Sermon Summary

I closed out our Forerunner journey by sitting with the life and final chapter of John the Baptist through two lenses: joy and doubt. In John 3, when his disciples panic because people are crossing the river to be baptized with Jesus, John doesn’t compete—he rejoices. He calls himself the friend of the groom who is thrilled just to hear the groom’s voice. That is joy: not the spike of happiness when things go our way, but a deep contentment when we become smaller and Jesus becomes greater. “He must become greater; I must become less” is not only a motto—it’s a dangerous prayer. It will reorient your life, your metrics, and your identity.

Then we followed John into Matthew 14. He spoke truth to power, called Herod’s sin “not lawful,” and was thrown into a dungeon—hard, dark, and forgotten—for about a year. From there, the greatest man born of a woman had doubts. That should untie the knot of shame around our own doubts. Doubt is not disbelief; it’s a storm that blows through. Don’t hand it a house key. Bring it to Jesus. John did, asking, “Are you the one?” And Jesus didn’t scold; he sent back evidence: the blind see, the lame walk, good news is preached to the poor. He offered encouragement and truth—without opening the prison door.

We talked about how God answers prayer: yes, no, wait, grow, or go. John got a “no.” That doesn’t make God less God. It means the path to complete joy may run through places we wouldn’t choose. Jesus even withdrew to grieve when John died—fully God, fully man, feeling the weight of loss. If you’re in a season of “no” or silence, don’t interpret it as abandonment. Bring your doubts and your tears. Surround yourself with community. Pray the dangerous prayer: make me small and make Jesus great. That’s where joy lives—not in control, applause, or escape, but in the freedom of pointing to the Groom, preparing the way, and getting out of the way.

Key Takeaways

1. Joy grows as we grow small Joy isn’t fragile happiness; it’s durable contentment when attention and outcomes shift away from us toward Jesus. Becoming “less” frees us from the pressure to be impressive and places us in the orbit of the One who is. John’s joy was “complete” precisely when his influence decreased and Christ’s increased. That same paradox sits at the doorway of our joy. [10:03]
2. Doubt visits; don’t give it keys Doubt will knock; it’s part of a living faith, not proof you’ve lost it. Let it be a guest, not a tenant—name it, bring it to Jesus, and process it with trusted believers. Shame fuels secrecy; honesty invites healing. Jesus is patient with doubters and meets them where they are. [20:05]
3. Jesus answers with presence and truth When John asked for reassurance, Jesus didn’t lecture; he pointed to realities unfolding in front of them—the wounded healed, the poor heard. He gives us signs of the kingdom and invites trust even when he doesn’t change our circumstances. Encouragement and truth are his way; contempt never is. [23:32]
4. God’s “no” can deepen allegiance A “no” is not punishment; it’s a summons to trust the wisdom of a God who sees what we cannot. Sometimes he grows us more by withholding rescue than by granting relief. Allegiance forged in the dark often shines with a joy circumstances can’t touch. [26:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:25] - Forerunner finale: John’s joy
[01:01] - Respect the Beard fun
[02:25] - Prayer and Scripture
[03:26] - John, the GOAT
[05:22] - Dispute and Jesus baptizing
[07:23] - “I am not the Messiah”
[09:24] - Joy vs. happiness
[10:13] - Dangerous prayer: He greater than me
[12:40] - Herod, politics, and prison
[16:36] - Herodias’ demand; John beheaded
[19:25] - Doubt in the dungeon
[23:32] - Jesus’ answer to doubt
[34:35] - Prayer and response

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (ESV)
- John 3:22–30
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized — 24 for John had not yet been put in prison. 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness — look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
- Matthew 14:1–12
1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, 4 for John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 And she, urged on by her mother, said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and for the guests' sake he commanded it to be given. 10 And he sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Observation questions

Read John 3:27–30. In what concrete ways does John describe his role in relation to Jesus? What words or images stand out about his attitude toward Jesus?
In John 3 the disciples tell John that people are leaving him to be baptized by Jesus. How does John respond to that news, and what does his response reveal about his source of joy? [10:03]
Read Matthew 14:3–5. What reasons does the text give for why Herod imprisoned John, and what does this show about the clash between truth-telling and political power?
Read Matthew 14:6–12. What sequence of events led to John’s execution, and what details in the story heighten the tragedy of his end? [16:36]

Interpretation questions

John calls himself “the friend of the bridegroom” who “rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.” How would that identity reshape a person’s ambitions, measures of success, and the way they view loss of influence? [07:43]
John experienced a sharp shift from public ministry to a dungeon and then doubt (“Are you the one?”). What does this movement suggest about the relationship between faithful service and seasons of spiritual struggle? [19:25]
Jesus answered John by pointing to kingdom signs (blind see, lame walk, good news to the poor). What is the theological significance of answering doubt with evidence of kingdom work rather than with an immediate rescue? [23:32]
The sermon framed five possible responses to prayer: yes, no, wait, grow, or go. How might these categories help a person interpret long seasons of unanswered prayer without concluding God is absent or unjust? [24:26]

Application questions

“He must increase; I must decrease” is presented as a dangerous but freeing prayer. Will you pray that honestly this week? What would “making Jesus greater” look like in one specific relationship, role, or decision in your life? [10:13]
Doubt is described as a visitor, not a tenant. The next time doubt comes, who will you name it to and bring it before Jesus with — name one trusted person you will call or meet this week? [20:05]
Consider the five answers to prayer: yes, no, wait, grow, or go. Which of those answers have you most often received in recent seasons? What practical next step will you take in response (e.g., waiting with prayer rhythms, asking God to grow a specific fruit, obeying a “go” command)? [24:26]
When God’s answer is “no,” allegiance can deepen. If you are in a season of “no” or painful waiting, what one daily practice will you adopt to keep trusting (Scripture reading, journaling, worship, community check-ins)? [26:04]
Jesus met doubt with truth and presence but did not always open John’s prison. Who around you needs encouragement that looks like presence plus truth? Plan one concrete act of presence (a visit, a note, bringing a meal, praying with them) you will do this week. [23:32]
The call to “prepare the way and get out of the way” invites gospel humility. Name one ministry, conversation, or social media habit you will change so that attention points more clearly to Jesus rather than to you. [07:56]

(Use the Bible readings above for the next meeting: read John 3:22–30 and Matthew 14:1–12 aloud and reflect on where joy and doubt show up in the texts and in your life.)

Sermon Clips

Prepare the way and get out of the way. That's what we do as followers of Jesus. We prepare the way and we get out of the way. We share Jesus and we get out of the way. We don't, the results aren't up to you or me. And that is so freeing and encouraging. Extend the invite. Take them to lunch. Prepare the way. Get out of the way for what God wants to do in their life. [00:07:41] (21 seconds) #MakeWayForJesus

This is a simple prayer. God, today, when you wake up in the morning before your feet hit the floor, God, would you become great and make me smaller? It's a powerful prayer. But do not pray it if you do not mean it. It's a dangerous prayer, my friends. It's a good prayer to pray because God's ways are better. When you become small, he becomes great in your life. There's nothing better. It doesn't mean it's easy. [00:10:15] (28 seconds) #PrayMakeMeSmall

The goat is having doubt. Man, that is so encouraging. The greatest of all time. John is having doubts. You know what that does for me? It removes the shame of my doubt and removes the shame of your doubt. Have you ever doubted? You're normal. Because doubt is baked into the story of our faith. Doubts come. Now here, don't let them become a permanent resident in your home. [00:19:25] (37 seconds) #DoubtIsNormal

Your doubts and my doubts when we bring them to Jesus will be met with encouragement. Jesus will meet our doubts with encouragement and with truth. But do you see what he doesn't say? He doesn't say, I release you from the dungeon. He doesn't say, I will be there tomorrow and I'll work my magic. Have you ever prayed for a shiny new object or a shiny whatever in your life and it didn't come true? John 2 can relate. He's sitting in a dungeon. [00:23:43] (37 seconds) #JesusMeetsDoubt

There is teaching. There is teaching out there that says, you have not because you need more faith. That is dangerous teaching. That is not the good news of the gospel. Good news of the gospel is I can have joy. As I decrease, joy increases. As Jesus increases in my life, joy increases. The world says, as you become great, your joy will become great. You'll become more happy. That is a lie from the pit of hell. As you become small, Jesus becomes great. Then you will have joy. [00:26:12] (37 seconds) #JoyInSmallness

Joy means I can be content even though my scenery changes, even though my circumstances change. For John the Baptist, his serenity changed because his scenery changed. Now he's in a dungeon. God is still God of your life regardless of your circumstance, my friends. You can trust him. He knows what is good for you. But that might mean he may say no to you in your request to him. Save me from this situation. He may not do that, but we all have an opportunity to be saved, redeemed, given a new life. [00:26:49] (36 seconds) #JoyBeyondCircumstances

Jesus is saying that he anticipates our doubts. He anticipates our confusion. Blessed is the person who does not get tripped up when they don't get what they want. When they don't get to do what they think I should do. When the answer is no, blessed is the person who's still able to believe and trust that his ways are better. [00:27:31] (28 seconds) #TrustWhenNo

Some of us think, my life's falling apart and Jesus is at the lake house. Jesus cares for you. His eye is on you, the Bible tells us. His eye is on the sparrow. My friends, whatever is happening in your life right now, Jesus sees it. He knows it. And he cares about you. When he heard of the death of John the Baptist, it says he withdrew. Why? Because he was a man. He had to go grieve. He got into a boat and he grieved. [00:30:42] (32 seconds) #JesusSeesAndCares

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What distinguishes Christian joy from mere happiness?

Why didn’t Jesus rescue John from prison?

What are God’s five answers to prayer?