And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3: 16-17).
There will come a time in everyone’s life, maybe even multiple times, when it is necessary to stop, rethink, and reaffirm our belief in God. Life circumstances arise that are not what we expect. Life is not always easy, and we sometimes miss moments of God’s intervention. We are skeptical. Questions arise, faith wavers, and storms happen. Being a believer is not about trying it out and seeing how it goes. True believers are committed, whole-hearted, purposefully, and all in with Christ. This includes the good and even the not-so-good times in our walk. Are you all in with Christ? Are you wholly committed and purposeful in your faith?
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Let’s start with a little background. Jesus has just spent the entirety of Matthew Chapter 10 selecting and instructing his disciples. His purpose for being here is going to change things forever. And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. (Matthew 10: 1). Jesus doesn’t pull any punches, they know from the start that this will be difficult. In other words, He prepares His disciples for the road ahead. His instructions are important for us also. They include:
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16).
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. (Matthew 10:19).
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28).
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. (Matthew 10:40).
John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus, was in prison. A great debate among scholars has risen about why John sent his disciples to Jesus with a particular question. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? (Matthew 11: 2-3). Did he doubt? Was he sending his crew to follow Jesus? We won’t truly know until we ask him, however, it is easy to make an argument for both views. John knows who Jesus is both as a relative and from witnessing God the Father’s endorsement at His baptism. Is it possible that John, like us, thought things would work out differently than they were? Have you been there? John was in prison. Wasn’t he doing what God had instructed him since birth to do? How was prison the result? Jesus was not “setting His kingdom up” in the way many expected Him to. Why wasn’t He removing the rule of Rome?
Haven’t we all been here when things just aren’t happening fast enough, right enough, or the way we expected? We ask God to “fix” things but we already have in mind what that should look like. God’s ways and thoughts are always higher than ours. Is it possible to be faithful, even when things don’t look like we planned? Jesus does not scold John for his ask. He simply answers …. Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (Matthew 11: 4-6).
Much like the way God answered Job in the Old Testament, Jesus reassures John with an account of the works of God. Then Jesus turned to the crowd around Him to ask them what they thought of John. What were they expecting? John wasn’t interested in keeping up with social protocol. He isn’t concerned with how he’s dressed. He ate locusts and honey. Nothing about him was frivolous. He was the real deal. If they believed him to be a prophet, they were right! That is exactly what John was, but he was even more than that! John was all in. He was a good and faithful servant.
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Then Jesus quoted scripture that they have heard and should know. The wait was over. The fullness of time had come. Jesus left no doubt as to who John represented and why he was there. There had been 400 years of relative silence from God as far as open visions and prophesy. God had sent John to prepare the way - just as Isaiah and Malachi prophesied many centuries before. Jesus was specific. If you have ears to hear, you understand that he confirmed the reference to Elias made in Isaiah about John the Baptist.
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40: 1-3)
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Malachi 4: 5-6).
Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Chorazin/Bethsaida- These cities are thought to be located in upper Galilee around or on, the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus would have frequently walked by and through these towns during his ministry. By his own witness, Jesus said that mighty works were done there, but they refused to repent. They saw the mighty works but denied the authority of God. They rejected the teaching, the miracles, and the presence of Jesus. They knew. They would not commit. They will be accountable for their lack of belief. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. (Luke 13:27).
Capernaum- This city appears to be where Jesus lived after leaving Nazareth. This is where He found Peter and Andrew and where he called Matthew. It is also nearby to Chorazin. Many mighty works were done here as well. Jesus made a vivid comparison with Sodom (destroyed from heaven). Here, Jesus healed the centurion's son and Peter’s mother-in-law.He likewise cast out demons, raised Jairus's daughter from death, and healed the woman with the issue of blood. This town was filled with those who were familiar, exposed you might say, to the words and miracles of Jesus. They knew but were not committed. Some may go to church, say the right things, and generously give, but not have a relationship with God. They refuse to totally commit to the things of God. They, too, will be accountable and surprised when they hear Jesus’ pronouncement. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:23).
In summary, this lesson is a reminder to be wholly committed. Heeding that warning and living your life with an all-in relationship with God makes all the difference. A believer is not trying Christianity out to see if this relationship benefits him/her. True believers walk by faith with confidence in Christ. This includes the good days as well as the bad days in our walk. True believers are listening for Jesus to say - Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:23). Where are you in your relationship with Christ? Do you see but not believe? Do you hold on to what is familiar? Do you know better but cherish your sin, or keep your distance? Or are you all in? Jesus left nothing undone on your behalf. He loves you. He shows you His love in many ways every day. He is fully committed to you. That is why He is called faithful and true. Will we occasionally doubt? Of course. Will we miss the mark and fail? absolutely! But our King and Savior is also all-in! There is no safer place in all the world than in the center of His will and love. Do well, good and faithful servant!
Thank you for studying with us! God bless!