I have been thinking a great deal about the life of John the Baptist.
In the first chapter of Luke's gospel, we are introduced to his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth.
An angel of the Lord foretold the birth of John to Zechariah.
He told of his role as forerunner for the Lord and how he would prepare the way for Him.
He even told Zechariah to name him John.
Elizabeth became pregnant just as the angel foretold.
In her sixth month with child, the angel Gabriel visited a virgin named Mary and told her that she would conceive a Son by the Holy Spirit and was to name Him Jesus.
Mary is told by the angel that Elizabeth, her cousin, was also with child.
Mary went to visit Elizabeth and when she did something remarkable happened.
Luke 1:41 (NET) - When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
It appears that even before birth, John was mysteriously aware that he was in the presence of Jesus.
In the third chapter, we read that John preached of baptism and repentance around the Jordan River.
As foretold, he was the voice of one shouting in the wilderness and preparing the way for the Lord.
In John's gospel, we read of his reaction when he first laid eyes on Jesus.
John 1:29 (NET) - On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
In Matthew's gospel, Jesus came to John to be baptized.
John protested stating that he was the one who needed to be baptized by Jesus.
Jesus, convinced John that this had to be and John conceded.
When John baptized Jesus, again something truly wonderful happened.
Matthew 3:16-17 (NET) - After Jesus was baptized, just as He was coming up out of the water, the heavens opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming on Him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is My one dear Son, in Him I take great delight."
John's role was foretold.
It is evident that he understood who Jesus was and witnessed firsthand an affirmation confirming this.
Then, something else happened.
John was imprisoned.
While in prison, he heard about the the things Jesus has been doing.
He sent two disciples to Jesus to ask a question.
Matthew 11:3 (NET) - "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
John's role was ordained by God.
John knew who Jesus was.
John witnessed the amazing.
Yet, after languishing in prison, it would seem that John was not as certain as he once had been.
John experienced doubt.
How does Jesus respond?
Matthew 11:4-6 (NET) - Jesus answered them, "Go tell John what you hear and see: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them. Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
Jesus did not rebuke John.
He did not criticize John.
He simply reminded John of that which he was already aware.
Sometimes, those we know experience doubt.
Doubt that can manifest itself in a number of different ways.
We could rebuke them.
We could criticize them.
Or, we could follow the example of Jesus and do what He did for John.
We can lovingly remind them of who Jesus is and what He does.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com
In the first chapter of Luke's gospel, we are introduced to his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth.
An angel of the Lord foretold the birth of John to Zechariah.
He told of his role as forerunner for the Lord and how he would prepare the way for Him.
He even told Zechariah to name him John.
Elizabeth became pregnant just as the angel foretold.
In her sixth month with child, the angel Gabriel visited a virgin named Mary and told her that she would conceive a Son by the Holy Spirit and was to name Him Jesus.
Mary is told by the angel that Elizabeth, her cousin, was also with child.
Mary went to visit Elizabeth and when she did something remarkable happened.
Luke 1:41 (NET) - When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
It appears that even before birth, John was mysteriously aware that he was in the presence of Jesus.
In the third chapter, we read that John preached of baptism and repentance around the Jordan River.
As foretold, he was the voice of one shouting in the wilderness and preparing the way for the Lord.
In John's gospel, we read of his reaction when he first laid eyes on Jesus.
John 1:29 (NET) - On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
In Matthew's gospel, Jesus came to John to be baptized.
John protested stating that he was the one who needed to be baptized by Jesus.
Jesus, convinced John that this had to be and John conceded.
When John baptized Jesus, again something truly wonderful happened.
Matthew 3:16-17 (NET) - After Jesus was baptized, just as He was coming up out of the water, the heavens opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming on Him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is My one dear Son, in Him I take great delight."
John's role was foretold.
It is evident that he understood who Jesus was and witnessed firsthand an affirmation confirming this.
Then, something else happened.
John was imprisoned.
While in prison, he heard about the the things Jesus has been doing.
He sent two disciples to Jesus to ask a question.
Matthew 11:3 (NET) - "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
John's role was ordained by God.
John knew who Jesus was.
John witnessed the amazing.
Yet, after languishing in prison, it would seem that John was not as certain as he once had been.
John experienced doubt.
How does Jesus respond?
Matthew 11:4-6 (NET) - Jesus answered them, "Go tell John what you hear and see: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them. Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
Jesus did not rebuke John.
He did not criticize John.
He simply reminded John of that which he was already aware.
Sometimes, those we know experience doubt.
Doubt that can manifest itself in a number of different ways.
We could rebuke them.
We could criticize them.
Or, we could follow the example of Jesus and do what He did for John.
We can lovingly remind them of who Jesus is and what He does.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com
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