While in the process of carrying out God’s important work, many of the Lord’s servants do suffer for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.
John the Baptist’s ministry of preparing hearts for the appearance of Jesus was foretold of hundreds of years before by two of God’s prophets, Isaiah and Malachi. John had a powerful and effective ministry, drawing large crowds to hear the good news of Jesus’ coming, and baptizing them to make them cleansed and ready for the Messiah. John performed his work in the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah, as had been written of by Malachi, and his ministry played out according to God’s plan. Yet, despite his credentials and all of his divine support, John spent the last of his days of his life in a dungeon, in King Herod’s jail. Unlike his predecessor, Elijah, who had been protected by God from vengeful Queen Jezebel, John the Baptist would not enjoy such escape from his persecution. His surprising, depressing situation apparently weighed heavily upon his faith, leading him to wonder whether or not Jesus really was who John believed Him to be.
2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent a message by his disciples 3 and asked Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matthew 11:2-3 (HCSB)
This must have been painful for Jesus to hear from one of His greatest supporters. But His response was focused on building up John’s wavering faith.
4 Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. 6 And if anyone is not offended because of Me, he is blessed.” Matthew 11:4-6 (HCSB)
Jesus was quoting from the prophet Isaiah, who had described the signs of the coming kingdom and its Messiah. Ironically, this same prophet had also prophesied about the coming of John the Baptist.
Isaiah wrote of Jesus and His eternal kingdom:
1 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them,
And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;
2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice,
Even with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
The excellence of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
The excellency of our God.
3 Strengthen the weak hands,
And make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:5-6 (NKJV)
This new, divine kingdom would be wonderful, but would not come easily or without a fight. It’s growth and its heralds would suffer violent opposition by dark spiritual forces. John would soon be beheaded by King Herod, but would later appear alongside Jesus, as Elijah, with Moses, on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus, too, would be brutally beaten and crucified, but He was raised from the dead to glory by the Father, on the third day. And while not recorded in the Bible, tradition tells us another of Jesus’ prophecies, given to the apostle Peter after the resurrection, would also be fulfilled by Peter’s own crucifixion. As Jesus told Peter:
18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” John 21:18-19 (HCSB)
Our life on earth is filled with much beauty, joy, and love, but there is also a spiritual battle going on behind the scenes, which may, at times, draw us into a real-life battle. Before the great governments of this world give way to God’s eternal kingdom, there will be much resistance offered by God’s opponents, the dark spiritual forces ruled over by Satan. Jesus will ultimately prevail over all of them upon His mighty return to earth. But, until then, we know from the hardships suffered by Jesus, John the Baptist, the apostle Peter, and many others, that the enemy means business, and will do everything possible to deceive and deflect those who might otherwise choose to enter into God’s kingdom through faith in Christ.
May the victorious power of God’s divine Light prevail over all darkness, and bring life-giving water to spiritual deserts everywhere. May buds and blossoms of faith continue to burst forth as believers from every nation and tongue come to faith in Christ, joining His eternal kingdom.
Reflection
When have you been most discouraged by disappointment or opposition? How has God lifted you up?
Father God, do lift us up whenever we face discouragement, opposition, or depression. It is so easy for us to believe the lies and deceptions of the enemy that tell us we are without worth or value, perhaps because of something we have done or failed to do. This could not be further from the truth – You love and value us so much that Jesus laid down His life on the cross for our eternal salvation with Him. Your forgiveness flows like water in a desert. Free us from the bondage of any sins or shortcomings that ensnare us. Bathe us in Your warm love, and cleanse and heal us by the power of Your Holy Spirit, poured out for us after Christ’s death and resurrection. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Bonus scripture about John the Baptist as Elijah:
10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. 12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist. Matthew 17:10-11 (NKJV)
Have a blessed and beautiful day in the Lord today.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 