Testimony about John’s message
Key Verses: 1, 4-5, 11, 19, 27, 28-30
Jesus sent His disciples to be His front men, to introduce Him, to make sure all the legwork was done before He arrived. Then Jesus followed them and ministered. In the mean time, John the Baptist has been thrown in prison and is going to be killed. He wants to know if Jesus truly is the Messiah. Jesus points John’s disciples to the things they are hearing and seeing as proof positive of His identity. Notice the last one in the list: preach good news to the poor. God’s heart is inclined toward the poor, since they have no one else to turn but to Him.
And yet, despite the fact that Jesus identifies John with the Old Testament prophet Elijah in fulfillment of prophecy, even the least in this new kingdom is greater than John. I picture those standing before a federal judge getting ready to become citizens of the United States. One moment they are a want-to-be. The next moment they are citizens. By their official identification with the United States they gain something they could never gain on their own. So it is with God’s kingdom. When we become believers we gain something we could never gain on our own. We become citizens of heaven with all the rights and responsibilities attached to our new position.
When someone focuses on the outward, fleeting, ceremonial practices of a godly life, they get lost in the search. This is especially true when they use those outward practices as a way to judge another’s status. The religious leaders of Jesus day would never be satisfied with other people’s outward actions because their inward practices were so wicked. I am always wary of people pointing a finger of judgment at other people. Over the years I have found that the people doing the most pointing are often themselves caught up in the very sin they are condemning. Just think of the headlines over the past decade, the religious leaders who have fallen into sin. Wisdom is proved right by her deeds. Our actions tell the story of our heart.
There is a direct knowledge link between the Father and the Son, and that knowledge is exclusive. Both exist eternally and are of one essence. If we want to know this God, the Son will reveal Him to us. It is impossible to know this God apart from knowing Jesus.
Jesus wants to give us rest in our spiritual struggle. Soul rest is the end product of knowing Jesus. He brings quiet to that internal struggle. In the middle of all the questions of life, His presence will bring rest. We take on His course of instruction. We allow Him to guide and direct. He gives us rest. His way of living leads to rest.
The Arnold Journey 