‘John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.#11:6 Or who are not offended by me.”’ Matthew 11:2-6
John the Baptist probably at the lowest point in his life, was probably questioning if what he was doing was all for nothing, to the point of sending his disciples to ask Jesus if He was truly the Messiah.
Jesus, the Master, and King of the universe answered with the greatest word of encouragement and edification ever recorded.
Tell him…
“the blind see”
“the lame walk”
“those with leprosy are cured”
“the deaf hear”
“the dead are raised to life”
“the Good News is being preached to the poor”
Encouragement that his efforts, to clear the path, weren’t for nothing.
Followed by the edification…
Matthew 11:7-12 NLT
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.
“of all who have lived, none is greater than John the Baptist.”
And then He follows this up by saying “Yet even the least person in heaven is greater than him.” When we are saved God looks at us as His Son.
John the Baptist had to accept Jesus as his, Lord and Savior, just as we did.
All of our earthly efforts are equal to “filthy rags”.
Isaiah 64:6 NLT
We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
Heavenly Father, I pray that you help me to continue to know my place in Your kingdom and to be humble in the light of Your will for my life.
I pray for wisdom and discernment and the willing ability to yield to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
To see those around me with Your eyes, with compassion, grace, forgiveness and patience, knowing that You are in control of everything.
In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, I pray!!!! Amen!! 🙏❤️
