Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on the testimony of John the Baptist :“ Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” While the Lord Jesus chose and sent disciples, and pursued his own ministry, John the Baptist, on the other hand, finished his in the prison of Herod.
Then the question that the disciples of the latter come to ask Jesus from him shows us his discouragement and his perplexity: indeed, the one of whom he had been the great precursor did not establish his kingdom and did nothing to deliver him. Wasn’t he the promised Messiah? The Lord responds with a message that gently points out his failure. And vis-à-vis the crowds, he bears unreserved witness to the greatest of all the prophets. Now he said of him: “He must grow, and I must decrease” (John 3:30), and he declared himself unworthy to untie the strap of his sandal (John 1:27). It is that he hears about the works of Christ, without being rescued by the one to which he belonged, that is to say in reality the throne of David. And it is in a moment of failure understandable for our weak hearts, but not for the faith, that he sends his disciples to say to Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect another? ”
Indeed, he makes him say: “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Then the Lord Jesus began to bear witness to John the Baptist when his disciples were gone: he also addressed the conscience of the crowd and bore witness to his beloved servant. Because he wanted the crowds to know who John the Baptist was, to make them understand the solemn character of the time in which they were, because the blessing depended for these crowds, on the acceptance or rejection of Christ and its precursor. Unfortunately, their choice was made, because the people would remain under the consequences of their unbelief.
Furthermore, despite the appearance under which John the Baptist could have been seen in the desert, the Lord Jesus said that he was indeed a prophet and even more than a prophet; for he was the one of whom it is written: “Behold, I will send my messenger; He will prepare the way before me. ”(Mal 3: 1). No prophet, says the Lord, has been greater than John. For of all the prophets who announced the coming of Christ, he is the only one who had the great privilege of seeing him. John had known the joy of this privilege when he said: “He who owns the wife is the husband; but the friend of the husband, who stands there and hears it, experiences great joy because of the voice of the husband: also this joy, which is mine, is perfect. ” (John 3:29). But the Lord Jesus adds that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John, that is to say that, when the kingdom is established, those who will be part of it will have a greater privilege than those who have announced. And this is especially true for those who believe today.
Indeed, when the kingdom is established in glory, we will reign with Christ, since we suffered with him during the time of his rejection, because we recognize his rights as king, while the world ignores and despises them.
And the Savior adds that “From the time of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forced, and it is the violent who take it. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John; and if you want to understand it, he is the Elijah who was to come. ”(Mat 11.12-14). For until John, under the rule of law and the prophets, all of Israel was the people of God; but given his state of impiety, John had announced the establishment of the kingdom and preached the repentance necessary to enter it.
Then the proud Jews said, “We have Abraham for father”, but wanted nothing of a kingdom introduced in this way, and led the people to reject the king. So those of them who accepted the words of John and Jesus had to do violence to everything around them, according to the word of the Lord in the sermon on the mountain: “Strive to enter by the narrow door” (Mat 7.13-14).
The same is true today because we are in the midst of a world that has rejected Christ. Let’s therefore resist him to enter the narrow path which leads to life!
So the Jews are warned that John the Baptist was indeed Elijah who must come before the establishment of the kingdom and the judgments that will precede it, to prepare the way of Christ in hearts. This is what John the Baptist did, as the Lord says, citing Malachi 3.10 and Luke 1.17. So all those who did not take advantage of his ministry had their share with the unbelieving people. For in future times, before the coming of Christ in glory, again an Elijah will be sent, according to this saying: “Behold, I will send Elijah the prophet to you, Before the day of the Lord comes, this great day and redoubtable ”(Mal 4.5), and likewise all those who will not receive him will be struck by the judgments.
Then the Lord pronounces these words which are solemn today as at the time: “Let him who has ears to hear hear.” (Mat 11.15). For “faith comes from what we hear, and what we hear comes from the word of Christ.” (Rom 10.17). Now God had used in vain, all the necessary means, so that all could enjoy the blessings promised by the presence of the Messiah. Because they were like children sitting in the market place and who never agree with the proposals of their comrades. And when John the Baptist appeared, austere like a prophet and separated from the sinners whom he invited to repentance, they said: “He has a demon”. But the Son of Man comes in grace to seek sinners where they are, not afraid of placing himself in contact with the most defiled men, because he came to seek and save what was lost, and they said then : “Here is an eater and a drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners”.
In the midst of this state of things, the Lord Jesus calls those who believed the children of wisdom, because they listen to the voice of wisdom, the voice of God which warns the simple to accept the Word (Pro 8 and Pro 9.1-6). Wisdom found them and was justified by them, that wisdom of God which is foolishness for the wise and intelligent of this world. Also, what glorious and eternal results for those who find it (Pro 8.35), and what a contrast with those who reject it! Don’t we all want to be children of wisdom?
The verses below have been compiled for your edification on this important subject and for your better understanding.
- Christ praises John the Baptiste:
Mt 11.11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.;
Luke 7.24-27 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
- John the baptizer is called the messenger of Christ:
Mal 3.1 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty. Mt 11.10 This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Luke 1:17, 76 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him;
Mt 3.4,7 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?; Mt 14.4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”; Mark 1.5, 7 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ; John 1.19-23 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ”
Mark 6.20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled ; yet he liked to listen to him. ; John 5.35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.;
- Perverse generation:
Mt 3.7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?; Luke 9.41 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”; Ac 2:40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
- Revelation of Christ speaking from God:
Jn 8.26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” ; John 12.49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.; Jn 14.10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.; John 17.8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
- Humility of Christ:
Mt 11.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.; Jn 13.5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.; 2 Cor 8.9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.; Ph 2.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
From all of the above, we note that John the Baptist was the messenger who was to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus. And Jesus said that among those who were born of women, there did not appear any greater than John the Baptist. However, the smallest in the kingdom of heaven is greater than him. He was indeed Elijah who must come before the establishment of the kingdom and the judgments that will precede it, and to prepare the way for Christ in hearts, for the generation was perverse. And in his humility, the Savior even washed the feet of his disciples during his mission, making himself obedient to death. That’s why he was raised supremely by God in glory forever. Our prayers are with you all in your efforts to imitate the Savior.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on the Sabbath through these words: “ Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?…For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Lord Almighty.