Sometimes, as we go through the Christian life, we go through hard times as a result of our own bad decisions.
I once went through unemployment, because though all the warning signs were there that my company was about to go under, I nevertheless ignored them and eventually went down with the ship.
But other times, we’ve done nothing but follow the will of God in our lives, and yet we end up in trouble anyway. And we ask God, “Why? Wasn’t I doing your will?”
That’s what happened to John the Baptist. It says in verse 18 that he was exhorting the people and preaching the good news to them.
We’ve seen in the passages in John that he was also pointing out Jesus to his disciples and telling them, “He is the one you need to follow.”
Not only that, he fulfilled his role as prophet by pointing out the sins of the people, and this is what ultimately got him in trouble.
King Herod (Antipas) had taken his brother Phillip’s wife for his own, and John publicly rebuked him for it. Not only that, he publicly rebuked Herod for many of his other misdeeds as well.
As a result, Herod had him thrown in prison. And there, John was left to rot.
We’ll get more into what happened to John in prison later, but it does bring up the question, “Why did God let it happen?”
Did John deserve to be in prison? No.
Could God have rescued John? Yes.
So why didn’t he? I don’t know.
And ultimately, we just have to accept that (if not be satisfied with it).
God does not promise that our lives will always be nice and comfortable if we follow him. He doesn’t promise that things will always go well.
Jesus, though he was perfect, was himself beaten and crucified. Hardly a comfortable situation. And if he who was perfect suffered, can we expect anything different as his followers?
Peter wrote,
But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:20-21)
What were we called to? Suffering for the sake of Christ.
What steps did Jesus take that we are called to follow in? The steps of suffering.
Am I saying that we should look to suffer? No. But don’t be surprised if it comes.
And if it does come, remember what the writer of Hebrews admonishes us,
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:3)
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 