The Unexpected One

In Luke 7.18-35, we see that the uncertainty about Jesus extends even to a man that we wouldn’t expect to struggle with Jesus—John the Baptist. The central verse of the whole story is verse 23 where Jesus says: Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me. Blessed are those who don’t stumble and become hardened toward Jesus because the Expected One does really unexpected things.  

And the challenge for us today is the same challenge John faced, the challenge the Pharisees faced, the challenge the Scribes, priests, and even the disciples faced. Are we willing to submit to the unexpected, but biblically authentic Christ—the Christ that requires submission and transformation and not the Christ of our tradition, popular imagination, or personal affirmation.

In this message, Pastor Ben explores some ways that believers struggle with Jesus. And he encourages us to trust in the finished work of Christ no matter what trials we experience in life.