Bible Reading
Luke 7:18-35 “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.” When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.) “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”
[29:14]Isaiah 35:5-6 “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;”
[36:30]Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”
[36:30]Observation questions
- What question does John the Baptist send his disciples to ask Jesus, and what circumstances help explain why John might be asking it? [30:45]
- What specific things does Jesus tell John’s disciples to report back to John, and how do those works connect with the promises in Isaiah? [35:38]
- After John’s disciples leave, how does Jesus describe John to the crowd? What does Jesus say John is—and is not—like? [42:54]
- What difference does Luke describe between the tax collectors who received John’s baptism and the Pharisees and experts in the law who rejected it? [47:14]
Interpretation questions
- Jesus answers John’s doubts by pointing to what has been seen and heard rather than by explaining every reason John remains in prison. What does this show about how Jesus strengthens faith in seasons of confusion? [37:33]
- What might Jesus mean when he says, “Blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me”? Why can Jesus’ ways become a stumbling block when they do not match someone’s expectations? [38:12]
- Jesus calls John the greatest among those born of women, yet says the least in God’s kingdom is greater than John. How does this highlight the privilege of living on this side of Jesus’ completed saving work? [45:13]
- Why did John’s call to repentance draw tax collectors and sinners while pushing away religious leaders? What does this reveal about the difference between knowing religious things and admitting a need for mercy? [48:39]
Application questions
- Is there an area of life where Jesus has not acted in the way you expected—perhaps in suffering, unanswered prayer, family, health, work, or injustice? How can you bring that question honestly to Jesus without walking away from trust in him? [35:07]
- When have you assumed that God’s blessing must mean immediate relief, success, healing, or an easier life? How might John’s continued imprisonment reshape the way you recognize God’s goodness in a hard season? [40:35]
- What evidence of Jesus’ grace and faithfulness can you remember when present circumstances make faith difficult? How could rehearsing what you have “seen and heard” help steady your trust this week? [36:15]
- Where might familiarity with church, worship songs, prayer, or Bible language be making your heart shallow rather than attentive? What is one practical way you could come before God with greater focus and honesty? [50:54]
- In what ways are you tempted to think, “I am basically a good person, so God will overlook the rest”? What would repentance look like in the specific places where you are relying on your own goodness? [54:46]
- Do you tend to criticize faith, church, or other Christians no matter what they do—too strict, too relaxed, too serious, or too joyful? What might that pattern reveal about your desire to have God and others follow your preferred tune? [56:37]
- What is one area where you need to give up self-sufficiency and trust Jesus alone rather than trying to earn acceptance with God? What step of faith or obedience could you take this week? [01:00:00]
