Was John the Baptist offended by Jesus? If He walked the earth today would we be offended by Him? Let’s examine the real Jesus and being offended at Jesus in Matthew 11:2-11.
Are You the One?
And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:2-3 NKJV)
After preparing the way for Jesus, John the Baptist doubted. Was Jesus the ONE? He was different from what John and even the disciples expected. He was a pacifist not a freedom fighter. Jesus ate and drank with sinners. John was an ascetic under a Nazirite vow who did not drink alcohol. Like John, Jesus preached repentance and the kingdom, but He also turned the other cheek and healed people.
Are we as disappointed in Jesus? He did not encourage many things that our denominations push - tongues, Sabbaths, prayers to Mary, rosaries, nationalism, or a materialistic health-wealth gospel. He condemned abusive, authoritarian religious leadership. He preached to the poor about giving and self-sacrifice, and a kingdom not of this world.
Are we frustrated by Jesus? John was an activist and revolutionary. Jesus was a healer and teacher. Jesus did not make John a disciple. John looked for a political Messiah to free the Jews from Rome. Are we disappointed with Jesus, His life of poverty and dying on a cross or do we wait patiently for His return?
Offended by Jesus
Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11:4-6 NKJV)
Jesus warned of the danger of doubt. It can cause us to be offended. What do we think about when we hear about Jesus, a little baby in a manger, or someone who heals people and preaches to the poor? Instead of an imaginary Jesus of our wishes, let us get to know the real Jesus and be grateful for who He really is.
Is our salvation found in the ways of this world? Jesus used no worldly methods. The blind received sight, the lame walked, lepers were cleansed, the deaf heard, the dead were raised up, and the poor heard the good news. This is what the Messiah looks like. He is the one.
Have we created a fake Jesus in our minds? Do vain human traditions picture the truth about Jesus? Denominationalism, politics, and traditions only divide us. Do we build a Jesus that we created, because we are disappointed with the simplicity of the real Jesus? The real Jesus unites us.
I Send My messenger
As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ (Matthew 11:7-12 NKJV)
A reed shaken by a wind describes preachers who teach what's popular, the latest wind, not timeless truths. The early church rescued December from paganism to rejoice with the angels and shepherds over a birth. But Christmas can still be a pagan festival, merchandising for profit, focusing on gifts, parties, the pressure to spend, and filling our children's heads with lies. There is still a voice of one crying in the wilderness. Let’s rescue Christmas from its ever present paganism.
The Violent Take it by Force
“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. (Matthew 11:11-12 NKJV)
God’s kingdom suffered violence when John was murdered. Violent people take over the church with evil motives. The Greek word can also be translated as zeal and certainly ardent zeal in the face of opposition is needed for Christians to enter God’s kingdom. Christianity is not the easy path. It is an ongoing spiritual battle against evil.
Do we know the real Jesus or have we created a fictitious Jesus? Are we expecting Him to create a cushy Disneyland for us now, or do we look forward to that day when He will return and take over the governments of this world? Have we put our faith in the real Jesus?
