(Matthew 11:2-3) Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?”
John had baptized Jesus with water and heard God, Himself, say, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” We've seen people in the Old Testament walk away from the miracle at the Red Sea, and then forget all about it. It's so easy to forget - OR - begin to think, well, maybe I just imagined that... But we also have to understand that John had been stuck in prison because King Herod wanted him dead. John would have been surrounded by criminals and people spewing hate. Also, being a prophet of God - with Old Testament prophecies written about him being the messenger to announce the arrival of the Messiah - Satan would have been quite eager to attack John however possible and to undermine his incredibility. This also shows us that everyone is human and can experience doubt. So Jesus gives these words which would have comforted and encouraged John and given him renewal of hope...
(Matthew 11:4-6) Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”
There are prophecies in the Old Testament about the blind being made to see, and Jesus had performed this miracle many times. And John's disciples would have surely seen Jesus doing this, as well as hear many testimonies from people. This alone would have been proof enough that Jesus was the Messiah.
And right after this, Jesus spoke to the crowd of people who were there. They probably overheard this conversation and wondered the same thing - How could John the Baptist doubt that Jesus is the Messiah??? So Jesus speaks to the crowd and defends John's reputation...
(Matthew 11 11-14) Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Within what Jesus said about John, Jesus teaches us that to be "great" in the kingdom of heaven takes great humility... depending wholly on God. God understands that we are all going to doubt and continue to make mistakes. God is gracious, therefore we need to keep looking to God and practice the following among ourselves...
(Colossians 3:5-17) Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
No comments:
Post a Comment