18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John,19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” – Luke 7:18-19
Foretold Cousins
If you want to ruin a revealing party, invite an angel of God. Before conception even occurs, they arrive with the news of birth. When they announce the forthcoming birth, they also supply a name for the baby. At least that is what occurred in the case of John the Baptist and Jesus.
Imagine the joy of Elizabeth. In her old age, she would miraculously give birth to John. Imagine the shock of Mary. Although a young virgin, she would give birth to Jesus. Both John and Jesus would be “filled” with the Spirit of God before their birth. Both would have their futures ordained for them. John would “make ready”. Jesus “will reign”. Forever.
16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” – Luke 1:16-17
30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” – Luke 1:30-33
Making Ready
John first “experienced” the presence of Jesus when they were both in the womb of their respective mothers. When Mary went to visit Elizabeth, the yet unborn John leaped for joy in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:45). The Holy Spirit enabled John to experience joy in the presence of His Savior before these special cousins were even born.
In life, John the Baptist faithfully and boldly fulfilled his calling, turning hard Jewish hearts to the Lord their God. John was a voice in the wilderness, preaching a message of repentance in the spirit and power of Elijah. Those that heeded his message he would baptize. Those that remained hardened he rebuked. The road was rough, but John knew it was his task to make it level before his cousin arrived.
When Jesus’ time had come, John had the privilege of baptizing Him with heaven smiling down on them. The Father was pleased and the angels were witnessing the fulfillment of their announcements. “Ready” was about to give way to “reign”.
With Jesus’ ministry under way, it was time for John to decrease while Jesus increased. The joy that John first experienced in the presence of Jesus as an unborn would now be made full. The road was prepared. The Bridegroom had arrived.
John’s Question
As the miracles and teachings of Jesus dominated the local scene, John humbly walked off the stage. His time in the spotlight was over. John had no misconceptions about competing with Jesus. The stakes were too high.
After removing himself from the stage, John was cast into prison. His bold preaching had made him enemies. Enemies in positions of power. Enemies who wielded Caesar’s sword. Enemies who were subject to lust, anger and violence. Enemies who wanted to silence his voice and end his ministry.
Time in prison afforded John time to reflect. As he pondered the works of Jesus something seemed to be missing. Vengeance. Where was the wrath John warned of (Luke 3:7)? Where was the axe (Luke 3:9)? Where were the winnowing fork and the unquenchable fire (Luke 3:17)? With death’s shadow darkening his cell a doubt took root. Was his work in vain? Was his cousin Jesus The One?
So John sent his messengers to Jesus with the all important question.
‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” – Luke 7:20b
Jesus’ Answer
The response of Jesus to John’s doubt was simple and assuring. Tell John what you have seen. Tell John what you have heard. Do my actions not line up with prophecy? Turn from the prison’s shadow John and ponder My works in the proper light. Sin will be judged in time, but but first there must be a time of healing and teaching.
Undoubtedly, John had heard of the raising of the widow’s dead son in Nairn. Certainly he was aware of the blind having their sight restored and the deaf their hearing. How could he not know of the lepers whom Jesus healed? Combine these miracles with the teachings of Jesus and consider the Prophet Isaiah and his predictions of the suffering servant.
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. – Isaiah 35:5-6
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor – Isaiah 61:1
Seeing Clearly
The acts of Jesus are consistent with prophecy. A day of punishment and destruction will come. But it must wait for the second coming of Jesus. Be patient John. See clearly. Don’t interpret the present through the lens of the future. Jesus’ white horse and the armies of heaven will be ready for battle, but now is not the time.
Rest assured John. Your life has been well spent. You did not clear the way for a fraud. The religious leaders may not clearly see Jesus. But rest assured He is no impostor. He is the promised Messiah. He is the Lamb of God just as you introduced him at His baptism. He is The One who will reign forever, just as the angel foretold.
The One
Today, we would refer to John as a “man’s man”. John called the religious leaders (sadducees and pharisees) of his day a brood of vipers. He rebuked Herod for unlawfully taking his brother’s wife. He boldly warned his peers of their need to repent. He selflessly devoted his life to the service of God, pleading with the disobedient children of Israel. But despite his life of boldness, John entertained doubt. At least momentarily.
With his work behind him and his end before him, John came to a crisis. What if Jesus isn’t the One after all? Have I wasted my time? Will I die with regrets? Have I failed my people and my God? Should we have been looking for someone else to put our faith in? Not at all John. Jesus is the promised Messiah, and no life lived for him is wasted.
One Life
No angel announced our births. At least not mine. No angel told my parents what to name me. At least not that they have ever related to me. My birth wasn’t miraculous. No angels appeared in the sky when I was born. I’m guessing the same is true of you. But angelic fanfare or not, one thing is true. Our lives are important to God, in whose image we are created and for whose glory we are to live.
At the end of the day, we are all living for someone. Most for self. But not so for John. While John’s ministry as a forerunner was unique, we can glean from his passion and take encouragement from his service. Like John, we have the power of the Holy Spirit. Like John, we can point others to the Savior.
After all, Jesus is The One, and He will come back in wrath and judgment. Until then, lets make sure we are not wasting our lives. Let’s devote ourselves to Christ’s kingdom. He is going to reign over it forever. Is there a better way to invest our lives? When death casts it’s shadow over me I don’t want to be haunted by any doubts.
Jesus is The One. Surrender your life to Him. All of it.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. – 1 Corinthian 15:58