Left on ‘Read’

Luke 7:20-22 (NIV) —

‘When the men came to Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?' At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers....'

Have you ever been left on 'read'? By which I mean have you sent a text message and never received a reply. That’s bad enough, but what makes matters worst is when the recipient has ‘read receipts’ turned on, so you know full well the message has been viewed and still no reply.

It’s a pet peeve of mine. Which is why what Jesus does upon hearing John's request disturbs me. John's disciples ask a question in vs 20, but Jesus doesn’t respond until vs 22. He just goes about doing what he was doing.

John is Jesus' cousin. John is in prison. John is on death row. This is pretty urgent.

Jesus' silence makes him seem indifferent, but before jumping to conclusions note what Jesus was doing while silent… curing diseases, casting out spirits, opening blind eyes.

Just because he isn’t speaking doesn’t mean he isn’t working. Never mistake Jesus' silence for his absence. In fact, it has been my experience that God does some of his greatest work in silence.

Entire seasons of my life have passed by where I have so wanted to hear God speak, and in hindsight I see it was then he was working most profoundly in me.

Whether it feels like God is near or far, loud or silent, today be encouraged, he is always active.

Prayer - Lord, help me trust you, and give me eyes to see where you are working in my life.