When Life Is Just Not Fair Series

Jesus concludes his thoughts about John with the statement “blessed is he who is not offended because of me.” (v. 23). The Greek word (scandalizo) that is translated “offended” is the word that we get our English word scandalize from and in the original it referred to the part of a trap that the bait was attached. John was in danger of being trapped by his own misconceptions about what Jesus was not doing

We put ourselves in a vulnerable position when we allow ourselves to hold unrealistic expectations, of either God or our mate, or our children, or of our church or of our ministry. We also have guard that our expectations are in line with Scripture.

Charles Swindoll outlines the promised blessing of (v. 23) this way, “Blessed are the Jobs, who suffer, yet stay faithful. Blessed are the Josephs, who endure unjust treatment yet refuse to live in bitterness. Blessed are the Hoseas, who continue to walk in obedience even though their spouses leave them. Blessed are the Pauls, who pray for relief from the thorn in the flesh yet also respond, ‘His grace is sufficient for me). Blessed are all those who can live with unanswered questions, who can rest in what they see, and who can wait patiently for God to reveal what they can’t see.” [Charles Swindoll. p. 13]

4. John’s Moment of Doubt Did Not Negate His Years of Ministry (vv. 24-28)

After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John; verse twenty-four, “…"What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? (25) But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. (26) But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. (27) This is he of whom it is written: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. (28) For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

Jesus did not want the crowd to look down on John so he deliberately paid tribute to John. He asked the crowd what they saw when they went out hear John preach. Was John “a reed shaken in the wind” (v. 24). No it is his courage and godly convictions and his unwillingness to yield to pressure that has secured his place in the dungeon.

Jesus next asked if they found a man “clothed in soft garments.” This is deeper concern than just an examination of the kind of garments John wore. Although “soft garments” usually means “soft to the touch” it can also mean “effeminate.”

John was not consumed with having the finest of clothing to wear, and they knew that he certainly was not effeminate.

What they found was a prophet who was willing to give the stern message of repentance to a people who had lost their way. John the Baptist was the bridge from the Old Testament age to the New Testament age. John was the last of the Old Testament prophets and John had the privilege of being the messenger charged with introducing the Messiah to Israel. At the time of his birth John was the greatest man yet born. Yet John’s greatness is nothing compared to those who are able to enjoy the blessing of living in the age of grace. Jesus did not mean that the average believer today is greater than John the Baptist in power and character. He meant that those living in the new age of grace have greater advantages than John possessed.