John the Baptist’s doubts

¹After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

²When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples

³to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

⁴Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:

⁵The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy^[b]are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

⁶Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

⁷As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

⁸If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.

⁹Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

¹⁰This is the one about whom it is written:
" 'I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.'

1. Central content

Content:

1. After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. (v1)
2. In the prison, John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus, and confirm his identity. (v2-3)
3. Jesus answered directly to the questions of the disciple of John the Baptist. (v4-6)
4. Jesus’s certainty and compliments toward John the Baptist. (v7-10)

Topics:

1. John the Baptist’s doubts
2. Complimented Pioneer

2. Who are God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?

1> Jesus Christ who trains the disciples. (v1)

2> Jesus Christ who educates. (v1)

3> Jesus Christ who spreads the gospel. (v1)

4> Jesus Christ who can do all sorts of healing miracles. (v14-15)

5> Jesus Christ who turn death into life. (v15)

6> God who sends messenger. (v10)

3. What is the lesson (command, promised, example, blame, warning)?

1> Nonstop Jesus

As recorded in verse one in the bible: After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

We all know that Jesus has only worked in this world for a short period of three years, in order to complete the mission entrusted by God, which is to spread the gospel of the Kingdome, his schedule was tight, a nonstop rush.

Although the education of his twelve disciples is the key for the accomplishment of his mission, it was also the most urgent task. While training His disciples, He didn’t forget to gain some time, use opportunities to spread the gospel of Kingdome to people in Israel.

Reflection:

What’s my attitude when I’m serving? Active and positive?

My feeling while preaching the gospel? Feeling sad for those depraved souls?

While particularly facing so many folks who have not yet know the Lord, do you feel a sense of urgency in your mind?

2> Perplexity of John the Baptist

According to Chapter 3 verse 13-15, this is when Jesus was in Jordan River, preparing to receive baptize of John the Baptist, through dialogue with each other, John the Baptist had learned that Jesus had the identity of the Messiah. However, the fact that he had experienced prisoning, suffering, and had brought many rumors from the outside, causes a doubt toward Jesus identity. Indeed, was Jesus the promise of God, the Messiah who people had been waiting for? He wasn’t sure about that.

However, John the Baptist was a loyal, brave prophet; he is also God’s servant, also Jesus’ pioneer. Therefore, facing Jesus’ identity, he shouldn’t be doubtful. But John the Baptist, after all, is a man, as a human being, it is normal to have weakness and limitations.

Even so, we cannot deny all this because of John’s doubt. Just think: On the Mount Carmel, Elijah, had been threatened by the Queen Jezebel while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. (1 Kings 19:4) Because he is a man, so he has human being’s weakness.

Hence, the world, no matter how brilliant, great leader will inevitably be timid and weak, even frustrated, fall. Because they are human, not God.

Reflection:

How much do I know about human nature?

When you face the weakness of human nature, how do you deal with it? A complete failure/defeat? Or: take a lesson? And re-stand?

3> Keep in mind God’s Kingdome

As it is mentioned in Chapter 4 verse 12: John the Baptist was sent to prison because of his uprightness, wasn’t afraid of power and had criticized Herod incest case. Due to his misfortune, and rumors from the outside, he was in doubt toward Jesus identity, so he sent his disciples to see Jesus, interrogate him and made things clear.

This shows that John the Baptist’s body, despite being in jail. But his heart is still concerned about things of the “Messiah”, which means that he is concerned about stuff in the Kingdome of God. This proves that John the Baptist, always keep in mind God’s Kingdome!

Reflection: despite his body in the prison, John the Baptist still cares about stuff of the Kingdome of God. What about you? Totally free, how much do you care about the Kingdome of God?

4> The secret to prevent falling

When John the Baptist’s faith was shaking, he immediately sent his disciples to ask the Lord Jesus, this is his secret: though puzzled, but not fall over. If John the Baptist had sent his disciples to ask Herod, Pharisees, the answer wouldn’t be the same, his faith would shake more and he will even face a crushing defeat.

Jesus Christ can let the blind sees, can let the lame walks, can clean leprosy, can let the deaf hears, can turn death into life, can let the poor hears the gospel, etc., this can solidifies his faith.

Reflection: When you are weak in confidence, who are you usually looking for? Looking for friends who do not believe? Looking for elders who believe? Or even looking for Jesus?

5> Proving identity by acting

When the disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus: “you are the one mentioned by John the Baptist, or are we waiting for the other one?” Then, Jesus didn’t directly answer “yes” or “no”.

Jesus told them: “Go back and tell what you’ve heard, what you’ve seen to John.” Which are: blind can see, lame can walk, leprosy got cleaned, deaf can hear, resurrection of death, poor can hear gospel. Jesus, by His acts, proves that He is the “Messiah” who God had promised.

The specific act, is the most specific description, is a strong testimony. About “proving identity by acting”, Jesus has also said in John chapter 13 verse 34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Reflection:

Jesus acts specifically, to prove that He is the Messiah. Jesus then orders us to love one another, to prove that we are His disciples. In our daily, what do we do to prove our Christian identity?

6> Complimented pioneer

When John the Baptist’s disciples had leaved, Jesus started talking about John the Baptist, in the discussion, He didn’t underestimate nor blame him, but instead, was complimenting him. Jesus used beautiful comparisons to describe John the Baptist. He said: “Before, when you were looking for John in the Wilderness, what did you want to see?”

Jesus first described him, he is not a reed blown by the wind. Which means: John is not someone who doesn’t have his own minds. Jesus then described as someone who doesn’t seem to wear soft clothes. Which means: John is not someone who enjoys pleasure all the time, nor someone that is undetermined.

John the Baptist is a prophet, is the pioneer of the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament. Since his arrival, not only he ended the old era, but opened a new one. Therefore, Jesus complimented him greater than the prophets.

Reflection:

As a Christian, am I complimented in Jesus eye? Or am I blamed?

4. My prayer / Practical application