FAITH

WHAT IS THIS VERSE ABOUT?
Jesus spoke these words when John the Baptist's disciples came to Him with the question:
“Are You the One Who is to come, or should we look for another?”
John was in prison at the time. He knew Jesus was the Messiah, but circumstances raised the question: why were not things happening as expected? In response, Jesus lists the signs of the Messiah:
• the blind can see
• the lame can walk
• lepers are cleansed
• the deaf can hear
• the dead are raised
• the Gospel is preached to the poor
And then He says this profound phrase: “And blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me”.
WHAT DOES GOD WANT TO SAY THROUGH THIS VERSE?
The word “stumble” in the original means to become disappointed, to turn away.
Jesus reveals an important truth:
Blessed is anyone who does not turn away from God, even when God's paths do not align with their expectations.
Many expected the Messiah to liberate Israel from the Roman rule, establish an earthly kingdom, and punish its enemies. But Christ came differently:
• humbly
• serving people
• healing and saving
• and, ultimately, going to the cross.
For many people, this became a stumbling block.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Sooner or later, everyone experiences a moment when God's paths become unclear.
Sometimes:
• prayer is not immediately answered;
• difficult circumstances arise;
• God does not act the way we expected.
And then the person can be tempted – to doubt, to become offended, to turn away. But Jesus says:
Blessed is he who continues to trust God even when he does not understand everything.
HOW TO USE IT TODAY
When questions arise in life:
• Why does God allow this?
• Why isn't the answer coming?
• Why isn't everything going the way I expected?
It is important not to allow your heart to harden. Sometimes faith is simply continuing to trust God and move forward, even when a storm rages and much is unclear.
CONCLUSION
True faith is not a faith that rests on human expectations.
True faith is trusting God even when His paths are beyond our understanding.
FINAL THOUGHT
People very often seek a God who will fulfil their plans.
But Christ comes to change people’s hearts and lead them to eternal life. And those who accept Him as He is, and not as they would like Him to be, are truly blessed.
PRAYER
Lord, sometimes I find it difficult to understand Your paths. Sometimes questions arise in my heart, which have no answers. Protect my heart from doubt and resentment. Teach me to trust You. Strengthen my faith and fill my heart with Your peace. May I never stumble on account of You, no matter what happens in my life. Amen.