If You Are Willing to Accept It - Matthew 11:2-15 - Third Week of Advent

 

Matthew 11:2-15 NIV

² When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

¹¹ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. ¹⁵ Whoever has ears, let them hear.

 

If You Are Willing to Accept It

Well, here we see John the Baptist in prison. He wasn’t treated badly in prison. Herod like to hear John preach. Herod took notice of John’s words. So, why was John in prison?

Herod had thrown John in prison to get his wife off of his back.

Matthew 14:3-4 NIV

³ Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, ⁴ for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

 

John’s disciples could come and go, and they were witnessing what Jesus was doing. Why hasn’t anything changed from John’s prison perspective? John wasn’t delivered from prison and he was sick after all. So, John sent two of his disciples to Jesus.

John wanted a little confirmation as to Jesus being the Messiah. Maybe it wasn’t really that John doubted that Jesus was the Messiah, but his disciples may have wondered why John was languishing in prison, sick and confined. So, John sent them to Jesus to confirm their doubts and to satisfy their curiosity that Jesus IS the Messiah.

What does Jesus do? He sends them back with an assignment of sorts.  Guys look at your Bible and read Isaiah 35:5-6, there IS your proof, compare that with what you see happening.

Isaiah 35:5-6 NIV

⁵ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
    and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
⁶ Then will the lame leap like a deer,
    and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
    and streams in the desert.

 

Was this a ploy to have Jesus declare Himself as the Messiah, in public? Or, was it just a simple question, in need of confirmation and answer. John had already heard the voice of God at Jesus’ baptism, after all. How often did Jesus’ own disciples fail to hear that Jesus was the Messiah? Even today, many can’t hear, or choose not to believe that Jesus IS God. We all fall guilty.

 

Take back a report of what you see. Kind of like today, go witness to what we see Jesus doing in our own lives and proclaim the Gospel of forgiveness, grace and salvation.

 

Isaiah 61:1 NIV

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,

 

Jesus’ combination of power and tenderness, could be none other than the expected King, the Messiah.

 

Prophets had foretold of the Messiah, by the power of God. Jesus, therefore, performed the works which none but the Messiah could do, and John might easily figure that He was the Christ.

 

John may have been urging Jesus to tell them plainly whether they ought to transfer their allegiance to Jesus or not.

 

I think John somehow knew that he was on his way out. John had done his important work of announcing the Messiah. Now it was Jesus, God, here and now, that will fulfill the timeless mission that God the Father had planned all along.

 

A warning was needed. Jesus gave this warning in the form of a beatitude.

 

Happy is he who shall not take offense at my poverty and lowliness of life, so as to reject me and my doctrine. Don’t get hung up that Jesus was poor and lowly by this world’s standards.  He IS the Messiah!

 

 Jesus turns, before the messengers were out of hearing, to bear His testimony to the work and character of John, and how John’s part in “Pointing to Jesus” IS necessary. Like you and I can proclaim the forgiveness of sin and salvation as a gift as we too, “Point to Jesus.”

 

John was the real deal! He was doing what he was sent to do. Listen to him, as Jesus turns us to Himself.

 

John wasn’t like a rich king or a powerful ruler, look at how he dressed, look at where he grew up, look at what he ate.  John was a humble man with a powerful message about the Messiah’s presence NOW and in eternity. Look!  John wasn’t attracting attention to himself.  NO!  He was pointing to GOD IN THIS world, in flesh and blood, God IS here!

 

Yes! You may have went out to see what was going on, out of curiosity, but what you saw in that wilderness was A prophet, maybe even THE prophet, the one to usher in, or open up your eyes to Jesus the Messiah, and The Kingdom of God.

 

People, this John the Baptist, IS the one to “Point to Jesus.” He has been told about in the past.  Go read your Bibles! --- (of course, the OT Bible of today!)

 

John may not look like much, he may dress funny and eat strange food, he may live the life of a poor man.  BUT, don’t be fooled!  The greatness of men is measured by a divine standard, not a human standard. 

 

Since John started preaching, there has been a great change in the people.  It was from the time of John’s preaching that men began to press into the kingdom, and the earnest believers won their way in. For the preaching of John was the pinnacle to which all prophecy tended.

 

The prophets of old, did their work pointing to the kingdom of heaven in the far-off future of the latter days, but John saw it close at hand, and proclaimed its actual appearance. John saw and witnessed to the fulfillment of all the prophets past. The Messiah IS real and IS here NOW!

 

The words of Malachi…

 

Malachi 4:5 NIV

⁵ “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.

 

He that hath ears ... - This expression is used by Jesus all the time. It is an expression used often. And often we should heed Jesus simple words. Listen to Him!

 

In our lives and in our day, we are called, as John the Baptist was called to “Point to Jesus.” This happens in many ways. The Holy Spirit has gifted each of God’s Children with various talents. Some are called to “Point to Jesus” with words that witness God’s teachings. Some are called to “Point to Jesus” by acts of kindness, others through gifts of love for one another. And this calling to “Point to Jesus” probably will change throughout different stages of life. As we age, God gives us wisdom to impart to the younger generation, like life experience. Many have musical talents that proclaim God’s glory. Some are able to perform physical work for neighbors. There are many ways to use the gifts of the Spirit, but ALL must “Point to Jesus.” As we “Point to Jesus,” God calls out new believers to Him to join with all the faithful in that glorious Feast to Come.

 

So, accept the words of John the Baptist to “Point to Jesus.”

 

What a great road to walk! Walk WITH Jesus and ALL believers.

 

What a joy it is to praise God!

 

Be patient.  Jesus IS coming… today… tomorrow… and forever.

 

Come Lord, Jesus, come.

 

I invite you to enjoy this YouTube Music Video about John the Baptist “Point to Jesus”

 

Voice of the Wilderness

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cBk4FqYTks&list=RD_cBk4FqYTks&start_radio=1

Voice of the Wilderness