John and Jesus

Jesus confirms the importance and relevance of John the baptist. He honours him and challenges the people about why they went to see and hear him in the wilderness for years (Matthew 11:7-15). It was not because John could give them money, or was a pleasing site, but because of his gift of being a prophet. Not only a prophet, but the one who was also prophesied about, the Elijah that was to come. As it says in Malachai 4; “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” Not only was Jesus’ birth prophesied and expected as The Messiah, but the second Elijah was also expected to come, and John is confirmed to be this man. He was the one who began the work Jesus was to finish. 

John declared that the Kingdom of Heaven is near, and people turned their hearts and lives around because of his message, then they were baptised for the forgiveness of sins because of him. He was the pre-cursor to Jesus, and he lived in humble obedience to that, but Jesus also shows great value and honour to John. Jesus declares that, “among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.” (Matthew 11:11). No-one, no human person is better that John! What a great commendation from no other than The Son of God! John had lived declaring who God is to those around him, learning to be obedient himself, living differently, and faithfully sharing with the people what God had told him to. Therefore he was seen by God’s own Son as the greatest! John is publicly affirmed. Even though at this time John is imprisoned. Jesus is not put off by the strangeness of how John lived or his current circumstances like some were, for he was not swayed by popular opinion, but instead saw the heart and nature of who John was, and in the eyes of the Kingdom of Heaven, he was someone great! 

Jesus and John had different lives, styles, routines and habits, but they still followed God and honoured and valued one another in private and in public. They were both about Kingdom business, but in their own way and they respected one another for it. Do you do the same? Do you honour and speak well of those who declare the gospel even if they have different ways, cultures, routines and lifestyles? Jesus was accused of being a drunkard and a glutton (v19) and John was an interesting site to see eating honey and locusts and dressed in sackcloth! They had completely different lifestyles, but the same message. Some people accepted one and could not understand the other, some people rejected both of them, for they will reject the gospel no matter how it is presented or by whom. What is your response to those with the same message but different ways? Do you hear the truth and accept the differences? Do you honour, respect and value the Kingdom work others are doing even when it is in a different manner to what you are used to or prefer?

The second Elijah - the greatest of men, and the Son of God, both declared the same message of repentance and salvation. They did it through different means so that all people had the opportunity to turn and believe. This shows the love and kindness of God, that He gives people of different cultures, backgrounds, styles and life experience the same message that there is a God that loves you, and His Kingdom is near. God wants everyone to hear the truth of who He is and have the opportunity to join His family. That is why there are different people with different gifts, styles, cultures and behaviours. It is so that people who are far off and near by have the chance to see and hear who He is. 

Therefore let us take inspiration from the relationship that Jesus and John had. Acknowledge, appreciate and commend those who are about Kingdom business. If the message is the same and people are being shown and drawn into the Kingdom of Heaven through the declaration of who Jesus is - the Son of God, and people are repenting, being baptised and living life following Jesus, then show that you value your brothers and sisters who are doing this. Publicly and privately honour and value them and their message for they are reaching a people you can’t. The King and His Kingdom are being shared and people invited into it, so celebrate and appreciate the work God has called others to do.