There was a man sent from god whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. John 1:6-8
Jesus called him the greatest man ever born of a woman. They were cousins. An angel announced their birth before they were conceived. God provided both of their names. Each had a call to a great ministry in Israel. Both had large crowds of people flocking to hear the message they spoke. Both died horrible deaths reserved for criminals.
The mothers, Mary and Elizabeth, experienced a close bond due to the circumstances of the births of their children. I imagine that Jesus and John would have played together and looked forward to the yearly trips to Jerusalem. Six months older than Jesus, John probably enjoyed showing the younger Jesus how things were done.
But John had a specific call on his life. “He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.” John 1:7. He announced Jesus to the world saying, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” John 1:29.
He lived in the wilderness. Many came to hear his message of repentance. The crowd not only included common people, but tax collectors, soldiers, Sadducees and Pharisees, as well as royalty. He did not back down to power, calling the Sadducees and Pharisees a generation of vipers. And he confronted Herod about his unlawful marriage.
In prison, doubts assaulted his thoughts. I wonder if he expected to serve side by side with Jesus, to help usher in the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead, he sat in prison under the threat of death. He sent to ask if Jesus was truly the one they awaited. Jesus answered:
“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” Matthew 11:4-6.
Jesus answered John with promises found in Isaiah.
In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. Isaiah 29:18
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Isaiah 35:5-6
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1.
Jesus proof to a man of scripture came from the scriptures.
As the men left to tell John the news, Jesus continued to comment about John.
“This is the one about whom it is written: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” Matthew 11:10-11
I’m sure the disciples of John heard the words of praise and let John know that he said, in essence: “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter now into the joy of the Lord.” Matthew 25:21.
John served faithfully. He fulfilled his mission to present Jesus Christ to the nation of Israel. He prepared the way for the Kingdom of God by encouraging the people to repent of their sins.
Jesus encouraged John while he sat in his cell, giving John the strength he needed to remain true to the Lord until his death at the hand of Herod.
When we serve the Lord, it doesn’t always go as we expect. He calls us to remain faithful despite the circumstances we find ourselves in. When I meet him face to face, I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter now into the joy of the Lord.”
What about you?
TRICIA LATHROP 