And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? (Luke 7:18-20).
It is entirely possible that many of us (if not all) have wondered – before we were saved -- whether Jesus of Nazareth was truly the Messiah and Savior of the world.
But it is hard to understand how John the Baptist would have any misgivings. After all, He baptized Christ, and saw a miracle at the river Jordon. As a result he proclaimed to all of Israel that Jesus was the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world.
Perhaps John expected Jesus to announce to everyone and say “I am your promised Messiah, and also the Lamb of God which John mentioned”. The Jewish religious leaders had probably hoped for such an announcement, and possibly an attempt by Christ to stop Roman rule in Judea.
But Jesus was a different Messiah at His first coming. So how did Christ calm down John’s fears and doubts? He performed a whole host of miracles before John’s disciples within a very short period. Here is what we read: And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Goyour way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (Luke 7:21-23)
At the same time, Christ did not find any fault with John’s doubts and fears? Instead He praised John as the greatest prophet who had ever lived: This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. (Luke 7:27,28).
We see in these statements both the grace and the truth of Christ. So why did Christ make these statements? Firstly, because John was the forerunner of the Son of God. No other prophet had received that privilege. The birth of John (“those that are born among women”) was also miraculous, as was the birth of Christ.
Yet the Lord did not intervene when Herod imprisoned John and then beheaded him. We cannot understand this, but God had a reason for this tragedy. Jesus could have also miraculously raised John from the dead, but He did not do so. No doubt the eternal rewards of John the Baptist (or Baptizer) will be immense. And he is in fact alive in Heaven.
However, what is even more enigmatic is that Christ said that the one who is least in the Kingdom of God is “greater” than John. There is no real explanation for this, unless it means that the children of God who are justified by grace through faith are deemed to be “kings and priests”, while John was only the greatest prophet. Perhaps because the New Covenant was not already in force while John was alive. We really don’t know, so this is purely a guess. Many of the statements of Christ are enigmatic, and we must simply accept that.
What is truly remarkable is the multitude of miracles performed by Christ to ensure that John and his disciples would not have any doubts. And what we read in the Gospels about the daily miracles of Christ should easily convince us that it was God who took the form of Man and became Jesus of Nazareth to die for our sins, then rise again for our justification.
It is entirely possible that many of us (if not all) have wondered – before we were saved -- whether Jesus of Nazareth was truly the Messiah and Savior of the world.
But it is hard to understand how John the Baptist would have any misgivings. After all, He baptized Christ, and saw a miracle at the river Jordon. As a result he proclaimed to all of Israel that Jesus was the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world.
Perhaps John expected Jesus to announce to everyone and say “I am your promised Messiah, and also the Lamb of God which John mentioned”. The Jewish religious leaders had probably hoped for such an announcement, and possibly an attempt by Christ to stop Roman rule in Judea.
But Jesus was a different Messiah at His first coming. So how did Christ calm down John’s fears and doubts? He performed a whole host of miracles before John’s disciples within a very short period. Here is what we read: And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Goyour way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (Luke 7:21-23)
At the same time, Christ did not find any fault with John’s doubts and fears? Instead He praised John as the greatest prophet who had ever lived: This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. (Luke 7:27,28).
We see in these statements both the grace and the truth of Christ. So why did Christ make these statements? Firstly, because John was the forerunner of the Son of God. No other prophet had received that privilege. The birth of John (“those that are born among women”) was also miraculous, as was the birth of Christ.
Yet the Lord did not intervene when Herod imprisoned John and then beheaded him. We cannot understand this, but God had a reason for this tragedy. Jesus could have also miraculously raised John from the dead, but He did not do so. No doubt the eternal rewards of John the Baptist (or Baptizer) will be immense. And he is in fact alive in Heaven.
However, what is even more enigmatic is that Christ said that the one who is least in the Kingdom of God is “greater” than John. There is no real explanation for this, unless it means that the children of God who are justified by grace through faith are deemed to be “kings and priests”, while John was only the greatest prophet. Perhaps because the New Covenant was not already in force while John was alive. We really don’t know, so this is purely a guess. Many of the statements of Christ are enigmatic, and we must simply accept that.
What is truly remarkable is the multitude of miracles performed by Christ to ensure that John and his disciples would not have any doubts. And what we read in the Gospels about the daily miracles of Christ should easily convince us that it was God who took the form of Man and became Jesus of Nazareth to die for our sins, then rise again for our justification.
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John never was ) that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”( never born again to live free in Christ John lives under the law )