“But
when Herod heard this, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been
raised from the dead! For Herod himself had given orders to have John
arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison.” (Mark 6:16-17, NIV)
Observation:
I asked
myself what happened to John, the Baptist.
-
He was arrested by Herod.
-
He was bound and put in
prison.
-
He was beheaded.
From these two verses, no reason
is given for John’s beheading or why he is in prison. Those will be
answered in the later verses that I saw, but I wanted to focus my time
on v. 16-17.
Interpretation:
I asked
myself what was John, the Baptist known for.
Before being sent to prison,
John, the Baptist had done a lot of things and was excited for Jesus’
coming. During those days, people had expected a Deliverer to come and
free them from the oppression of Rome and from the puppets of the Roman
government. King Herod was one of them. They were expecting a Messiah to
bring earthly deliverance from their oppressors. John, the Baptist had
prepared the way.
“And
so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of
repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and
all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they
were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of
camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts
and wild honey. And this was his message: "After me will come one more
powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop
down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit. At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and
was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (Mark 1:4-9, NIV)
John, the
Baptist had done all this and now he sees himself bound and in prison.
What could have been going through his mind?
To find that out, I decided to
look at the Gospel of Luke to shed more light into this situation. I
wanted to know how John, the Baptist was feeling especially on the
inside. I got my answer from Luke 7:20-23.
"When
the men came to Jesus, they said, 'John the Baptist sent us to you to
ask, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone
else?'" (Luke 7:20)
Observation:
I asked
myself what happens near Jesus.
1.
Men came to Jesus.
2. They tell Jesus that they
were sent by John the Baptist to ask a question.
3. They ask Jesus,
‘Are you the
one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'
Interpretation:
I asked
myself what is significant about the men’s question.
The question that the men asked
Jesus is very significant. It reveals to me something about John the
Baptist. Jesus began His ministry after John the Baptist was put in
prison (rf. Matthew 4:12-17, Mark 1:14-15). John was bound and in prison
when he had asked some men to go and ask Jesus that question.
What's the
big deal?
It becomes a big deal when we
know how long John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord. He is the
one who also baptized Jesus in the Jordan River (rf: Mark 1:9). Now it
seems like John is not sure about Jesus.
We need to
ask ourselves why?
Being in prison may have raised
doubts in John's mind. He easily could have been in despair. Also, he
may have wanted to assure himself even though he is in prison that what
he stood for all along was right! (rf: Luke 3:1-20, v.19 & 20 reveal why
he was put in prison)
How can a
prophet who believed in Jesus, prepared the way for Jesus, and baptized
Jesus all of a sudden be filled with doubts?
Sometimes circumstances we are
in can make us have doubts. John the Baptist is a human just like us.
What does
Jesus do?
"So he
replied to the messengers, 'Go back and report to John what you have
seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have
leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news
is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on
account of me." (Luke 7:22-23)
1. Jesus wants the men to go
back to John.
2. Jesus wants them to report to
John what they have seen. (rf Lk 7:21)
3. Jesus wants them to report
what they have heard.
I asked
myself what is the content of the report Jesus wanted John the Baptist
to hear.
Jesus tells them to tell John
the Baptist 7 things:
1. Blind receive sight
2. Lame walk.
3. Those with leprosy are cured.
4. Deaf hear.
5. Dead are raised.
6. The Good News is preached to
the poor!
7. Blessed is the man who does
not fall away on account of me.
I asked
myself the significance of Jesus’ actions.
It is very interesting to know
that Jesus did not ignore John the Baptist when he had doubts but took
the effort to answer his doubts. He sent the messengers with evidence to
reassure John the Baptist that what he stood for before going to prison
was right! We learn the love of Jesus for others. If people have doubts
concerning Him, He does not just abandon them even if they have served
Him for a long time and then enter the times of 'despair and doubt'.
We have seen John the Baptist
live for Jesus and all He did for Jesus. We also learn that he was put
in prison for standing up for what is right. Now he is in despair and
doubt. We also see Jesus coming along and sending a message of hope to
John the Baptist. Especially v.23 'Blessed is the
man who does not fall away on account of me.'
Implications:
Jesus has taken care of me all
these years and has brought me through trials and tribulations. Jesus
still takes care of me. You would think I would not have any doubts
about anything but it has not happened that way.
Doubt started taking control
until Jesus intervened with His promises. What keeps coming to me is,
“Do not be afraid, just believe.”
I keep telling myself to wait on
the Lord and not to be afraid but just believe the Lord in the
situation. Jesus does comfort me.
After everything Jesus has done,
my situation will not be difficult for Jesus. If Jesus wants that
situation to go in the direction I expected it to or wanted it to, it
will happen that way. If it does not happen that way, Jesus will confirm
his peace to me so I do not have to be doubtful about the situation but
move on.
Just as Jesus met John the
Baptist in his doubts and comforted him by sending him 7 messages, I see
Jesus reaching out to me in multiple ways too. It has been through His
Word, through circumstances, and dreams. I felt like there were messages
for me too!
Seeing Jesus in my dream has
been the best message I have ever had topped by Jesus’ words,
“Do not be afraid just believe” after
waking up.
Jesus could have just ignored me
in my doubts but Jesus has not. As a follower of Christ, when I do have
doubts, He reaches out to me in different ways and lets His presence and
purpose for my life be known. In His timing, I know I will also have the
peace no matter what the outcome of the situation will be for He will
instill His peace.
Doubts about anything can be the
hardest to deal with but thanks be to God for Jesus Christ in my life
who will get me through each day. He wants me to trust in Him and not
try to understanding everything that happens along the way but to lean
on Him. Jesus knows what He is doing more than I can ever know. This
morning in my Quiet Times, Jesus brought two verses to my mind and
comforted me with them.
“I want
you to trust in me in your times of trouble so that I can rescue you and
you can give me the glory.” (Psalm 50:15, TLB)
"Since the
Lord is directing our steps; why try to understand everything that
happens along the way.” (Proverbs 20:24, NIV)
It is talking to the Lord
everyday that has been bringing me through. As Jesus takes care of me,
whatever you are going through, Jesus will not abandon you too
especially in your doubts. All we have to do is look how Jesus handled
the situation with John the Baptist and Doubting Thomas.
Dear
friends, I ask you now how do you handle doubts?
Dear friend, we live in a world
where doubts can creep into our lives because of situations that happen
and situations that do not happen. Especially when we are sure about a
situation for ourselves but then it does not happen; it can be a
doubtful day. Whatever doubts you are going through, you are loved and
precious in the Lord’s sight.
When you came to Him, He decided
never to leave you nor forsake you. This is exciting to know friend. The
pain of a situation may still be there but His comfort can be there too.
Jesus sent word to comfort John the Baptist in his doubt. Jesus will get
you through. Whether it has to do with your career situation, academic
situation, relational situation, health situation or any major situation
in your life, you are not alone.
Yes, you are not! Jesus wants to
be there for you and wants you to hold on to His promises. John the
Baptist had expectations from Jesus but his situation gave him doubts
but Jesus assured him through his doubts about why He came!
No matter what the despair and
doubt, remember that Jesus will not abandon you. He will reach out to
you just as he reached out to John the Baptist. Oh Yes, He will. When
you feel down and in despair, remember all that the Lord Jesus has done
already in your life and in the lives of others.
John the Baptist's men
interceded on his behalf what he was going through. You may not even
know how many are interceding on your behalf before the Prince of Peace.
You are not alone. You can talk directly to the Lord what you are going
through. Yes, you can! Just pour out to Him! Don’t feel like, you talked
to Him once about the situation and that should be enough. Everyday,
continue to talk to Him and there will come a day when you will
experience His peace shattering the doubt.
Jesus goes a step further and
praises John the Baptist for all that he has done in serving Jesus. (rf
Luke 7:24-28)
“After John's messengers
left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out
into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you
go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear
expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you
go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This
is the one about whom it is written: “'I will send my messenger ahead of
you, who will prepare your way before you.' I tell you, among those born
of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in
the kingdom of God is greater than he." (Luke 7:24-28, NIV)
Jesus reaches out to you too and
will not forget what you have done for Him and your service to Him. In
your circumstances that are filling you with doubt and despair, come to
the Lord and stand upon His Word and promises.
May you find the peace and joy
in the Lord and blessed are those who do not fall away on account of
Jesus!
We will all face trials and
tribulations but the important thing is what do we do with those trials
and tribulations! God loves you my friend and it may be hard to face
what you are going through. The Lord suffers with you and knows your
pain. Lean on Him!
More than anything even if the
situation we are hoping for does not come the way we want it, Jesus will
be our Prince of Peace through the situation and give us the strength to
bear through it and give us His joy. You are never out of His love and
never out of His reach. He loves you as you are and reaches out to you
friend. Jesus gives you the Fruit of the Spirit to give you a wonderful
taste even through the doubt.
I want to share with you a poem
called ‘Bible Academy III: Fruit of the Spirit’, the Lord helped me to
write years ago.
Bible Academy III: Fruit of
the Spirit
By Ramesh C. Reddy
LOVE is
a plumpy peach
sweeter
than pistachio dough,
peachy
like Christ's love.
JOY is a
green grape
tastier
and happier than onions.
Joyful to
know Christ.
PEACE is a
banana,
white and
fragrant than Havana.
Looks for
Prince of Peace.
PATIENCE
is a plum,
stickier
as a fruity gum,
loving God
with patience.
KINDNESS
is Honeydew,
sweeter
than sweet honey,
reminding
me of Christ.
FAITHFULNESS is bright,
Brighter
than luscious orange.
Faith
brings you to God.
GENTLENESS
is soft,
Softer
than teddy's cherries,
cherishing
Jesus Christ.
SELF-CONTROL is strong,
Stronger
than a pineapple
Showing
Christ's love.
GOODNESS
eats papaya.
Popeye
neutralizes Satan
using Word
of God.
Amen!
May you be uplifted knowing
Deliverer openly understands bringing total Salvation! Amen!
“Deliverer
Openly Understands, Bringing Total Salvation.”(D.O.U.B.T.S)/”How
do you handle doubts?”
Prayer:
Oh Father God, we just come before you now. Thank you so much Father God
for your Son Jesus Christ, for sending Him into this world to rescue
sinners like me. Oh Lord Jesus, thank you so much for being with me
through all these days. Even in my
doubts you never left me and kept to your promises and you will continue
too. Oh Lord I thank you for loving us so much. Your Word shows us that
trials and tribulations are a part of life but you will be with us. You
want us to remember all that you have done for us even when we are
filled with despair. You want us to trust in you and we do that Oh Lord.
I thank you Lord for reaching out to John the Baptist in his time of
despair and doubt. Thank you for reaching out to us too. We are so sorry
for all our sins and ask you to forgive us and rescue us. Light the fire
in our hearts again Oh Lord and fan the flame. Make us whole Oh Lord.
You know Oh Lord where we have been and we need you. Light the fire that
once burned so bright for you. I thank you Jesus. We give our selves to
you and rest in you Lord. We rest in your love and care. Give us an undivdided heart that we may praise your Name. Thank you for hearing us
and answering us! In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Amen!
If
you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a
daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be
alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them
come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to
wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as
you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I am a sinner Lord. I am so sorry for
my sins. I confess my sins to you. I confess the wrong things I have
done and messed up my own life. I need you Lord right now and in the
years to come. I have gone my own way and have not found what only you
can give me. You alone have the words of Eternal Life. You alone love me
unconditionally for who I am. I thank you Jesus. I accept you Jesus into
my heart. Thanks Jesus for coming into my heart. Thanks for forgiving me
of all my sins. Thanks for giving me a new identity in you. I
acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior as I believe in my heart
that you died and came back to life to save me now and forever. I give
myself to you and ask you to be in control of my life. Thank you Jesus
through the days, we can do things together. Thanks for being my
Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and
answered me. Thanks Jesus for changing me and helping me through life's
storms and winds. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Friend you may feel something
or may not feeling anything but do not go by your feelings. When you ask
Jesus to come into your life, He will and does. He will take over from
here as you depend on the Lord and let Him work in you and through you!
This is exciting friend! May each one that came to know Jesus be filled
with His Holy Spirit forever more and those that know Jesus come to know
Him more and more! Amen!
Get yourself involved in a campus Bible study,
fellowship, and most of all find a Bible believing church and be involved
to grow in your Christian walk with the Lord. They all need to be
supplements for your own precious time with the Lord in prayer and
meditating on His Word. If you need a Bible, please let me know!
As the movie DaVinci Code opened across the
theaters on May 19, 2006, which speaks against the church and most importantly
degrades the Name of Jesus Christ, we need to make ourselves available to
speak the truth to the falsity presented in the movie and the novel. If you
plan to watch the movie or have read the book and have questions or your
faith seems to be shaken, please email me or give me a call at 412-720-4579
so we can discuss the false claims in the book that are presented as fact
even though the book itself and the movie is presented as fiction. May the
Lord bless you and guide you!
If you need anyone to talk to, pray
with, or study the Bible with this Spring or Summer of 2006, you can email
me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com or call me at 412-720-4579.
Please do not hesitate. One-one Bible studies
can be so powerful to because the Holy Spirit is still in the
midst.
"This is my work and I can do it
only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians
1:29, TLB)
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