Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 | Author: Chris
Today we read about the final moments of John the Baptist’s life. John was the man. Jesus said John was the greater than any man before Him (Jesus).
All through March we’re in a series called “Christ + Us = Suffering.” John’s life was a clear illustration of this reality. What do you think it must have been like for John these final months of his life? Some of you talked a little about this concerning Matthew 11:1-19.
Category: Daily Scripture Reading
Email This Post
Tuesday, 16. March 2010
John near the end still had doubts, But Jesus definately gave his approval. My doubts surface around death and illnesses. Im glad its not so much “why me”. I’m past that, But still often I ask” why Lord”. I am also OK not knowing, and having acceptance and Faith in God’s plan.Being part of It is enough. Chris , why do you say so many parables ?
Tuesday, 16. March 2010
A guard violently and loudly opens the door to John’s cell door. The guard demands John to put these chains on and demands him to follow him. John is thinking to himself, “is this it? Will this be the end of me? or will I be freed? Has God intervened and changed the mind of King Herod to let me go so I can spend some time with Jesus?” The thoughts race through his mind like nothing he has experienced before. Adrenaline kicks in and the time flies by. “It was as if I just left the cell” he says to himself as he lifts up his head and his eyes instantly caught on to what looks like to be his answer to his prior questions. “It is for sure now, my life will end within a few seconds.” His heart cries out to God, knowing that He has not wasted his life but in fact accomplished what he was sent on earth to do; namely, to prepare the way for the one who is the radiance of God’s exact image-Jesus. He finds out from the whispers of the crowd that the reason he will be beheaded is because of Herodias’ daughter and how it was a dance that she performed for Herod the night before that persuaded Herod to cut off his head. “Is this the cause of my death, because of a dance?” John angrily asks God in his heart. He continues, “what has this world become? They are so wicked and are blinded to who walks among them. The very son of God walks among them and they do not even sense, see, or feel Him. WOW…. I cannot believe how desensitized they are to God.” As they put John’s head in the guillotine, John thinks his last thought, “Do not forsake me Lord but accept me into Your heavenly Kingdom” CLANK!
Tuesday, 16. March 2010
1) Whew! What kind of a nut wants some guys head on a platter when offered a “free-wish”? Maybe John was confused as to why he had to suffer like he did, which was perhaps why he questioned Jesus in Matthew 11:2-3. I’d like to think that John was starting to learn that we are in a war with the evil rulers of this age. This life is not supposed to be easy, and John was immersed in an insane situation in which evil men/women were causing him unnecessary suffering. God of course uses evil and judo flips it into making it all work out for the best though.
2) This story also gives context to the following verses in Chapter 14. Read this chapter with John 6 to get a fuller picture of the events of Jesus feeding the 5000+ then walking on the water.
3) I can’t help but draw attention to Peter’s sinking and crying out to Jesus to save him in the story of verses 22-36. Peter didn’t sink because he was lazy or because he should’ve been working harder for Jesus. Peter sank because of his “little faith” in Jesus. That is a developing theme in the Gospels and the New Testament (Matthew 13:57-58). God will save you if you just call upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13)!
Tuesday, 16. March 2010
When Peter asked Jesus to command him to go to him on water, that should have been enough for him. Even when Peter started walking on water, there should have been no doubt whatsoever especially since Jesus was right there, and Peter was looking at Jesus. Is unbelievable how little faith we have sometimes, even after Jesus does miracles in our lives and is with us and we have a very close relationship with him, even then there are times that we have little faith.
That is just sad.