Change

 

There's a big change coming! A huge change! Read Matthew 11:2-15 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011%3A2-15&version=ESV --- Read it!

I doubt all the time. Apparently John the Baptist and his followers had doubt also. This pointing to Jesus is a big Big BIg BIG change!

This was not just a change coming upon us from God, but a huge change in the ages from the beginnings of eternity. Here in this passage we have a change coming from the time of the Law and the Prophets, from which John the Baptist came, to an age of the of the Messiah, the day of the Lord Jesus, and the age of the End  times. 

So, when the people of John the Baptist's time went out to see John in the wilderness... what did they expect? What did they see in this John the Baptist? I mean John dressed in hairy clothing and eating a strange diet, living off of what God alone gives, wasn't exactly like the Evangelist in a suit on a stage screaming and dancing and singing. John the Baptist wasn't in a suit and tie or robes. John was living off of the land and wearing what he could find from the land. John wasn't a soft handed character, he was rugged and determined to fulfill the call God gave to him in passion and certainty. John certainly didn't waver or flip-flop around in what he had to say about the Messiah.

But now...  in this passage... John's voice does not cry from the desert. John's voice cry's from the dungeon, perhaps of prison. John's cry from the wilderness was about to be silenced in the dungeon. So, he doubted his very own word and needed to listen to THE WORD. 

This goes for me too. In the midst of my sinful doubt, I need to stop... to listen... to hear deeper meanings.

Jesus wasn't doing what John proclaimed he would do; at least not in John's mind, I think. Is Jesus the Messiah? John proclaimed the coming of God the Judge... God coming with the fire of Judgment on this sinful world and these sinful people that need to turn and to repent and face God. John was the one that identified the Messiah out in that wilderness. Was Jesus really the right guy? So, he doubted.

John could see the flames of the judgment of God, but not so much the quiet beginning of the good will of God. John could see God the Judge, but not so much God the Father. The ministry that Jesus tells John's disciples to report back on is a ministry of the Messiah of mercy, love and compassion.

Herein lies the BIG change. The BIG change of Law and Prophets, of which John comes from to a NEW age of Jesus the Messiah. Jesus makes the BIG BIG difference between the two ages as well as for you and me and all of God's children, between our personal changes of life and death.

The greatest of the past age, now fall in line with the least of this age. You see, the "Least" are not now greater because of what they have done or earned or obeyed... rather, now the "Least" are the greatest by the grace of God in Christ Jesus in this new age.

We live in an age that is a BIG change. Are we making God in an image that we want to see? Or will we live in the BIG change of a God that lives on his terms, not our terms. A new age with Jesus saving grace that would bring mercy, love, healing, and a salvation that reaches beyond all ages of the world.

God comes to save you and me and all his people. Keep me patient Lord Jesus. For as you declared to John the Baptist, in his doubt, as you declare to me in the midst of all of my doubts... you have come and will come again. You promise to come yet again... to judge. But, today in this age of my life may I turn to you and believe. I simply believe, trust and hope in you alone.

And then... and then... so majestically and wonderfully we will all gather around the throne of God and praise you into eternity. Praise the Lord!

Lord, in the midst of my doubt, forgive me, forgive all your people who look away, that we may all see Your age, and the BIG change of your acts of love mercy and salvation. Make us Listen! Listen for the deeper meanings and see it all the more clearly. Today... tomorrow... and forever. Come Lord Jesus, come! --- Amen