" He
Must Increase, But I must decrease." (John 3:30 NKVJ)
There have been many who have been first in this world and life. There was
the first person according to the Bible. His name was Adam. There was the first
person ever recorded to have built a boat in God's word. His name was Noah.
There was the first woman of the world created by God. And her name of course
was Eve. You get my point here, right? These are just a few of the
first of many people in different circumstances that the good Lord introduces
to us in his written word. The list could go on and on and on if we really
wanted it to. But that is not the point of what I am trying to convey here. In
this chapter, at least anyways, what I am hoping to convey here is the fragileness
of man. That, no matter how great the person is or the prominence in their role
in history was, that man under pressures of life and death can easily begin to
doubt. Doubt themselves, doubt their purpose, even doubt their faith when
circumstances around them seemingly are unbearable. I will use the first
evangelist documented in the Bible to humbly prove my point here. His name was
John the Baptist. Now, as we know according to the Bible, John the Baptist
announced the Lamb of God to the world. He did this by the Jordan River where he used to baptize people for the
forgiveness of sins. According to the Bible he was the one who baptized
Jesus Christ before the Lord began His three year ministry. " I
need to be baptized by you and do you come to me.? (Matthew 3:13) the Baptist
said to the Jesus. I guess it is safe to say from these scriptures that John
the Baptist knew who was walking towards him. Obviously, he knew who he was
about to dunk under the water in the Jordan. Or, why would of he made
such a public proclamation of these findings if he had any thought that
possibly they weren't true.? We know from the Bible that the Baptist was a
blood relative of Jesus. We know they were related and grew up together. I
wonder sometimes when they were teenagers the dialogue the two shared with one another.
When did John, cousin of Jesus, first realize-by God’s revelation, that Jesus
was actually the Son of God? I cannot even begin to imagine the
conversations the two had with each other. According to the Bible Jesus describes
John the Baptist like this. "There is no greaterman
born of women than John the Baptist. (Matthew 11:11)"
We know that Moses was described as "More humble than anyoneelse." (Numbers 12:3). And David was labeled "A man
after God's own heart." But to be called the greatest by Jesus
Christ say a lot don't you think? To interpret this. Let us go a little deeper
in paraphrasing some adjectives if I humbly may. None better. Never was.
Never will be. The best. The Top. None after will be able to hold this guys
water bottle or sweat towel. The Greatest!! No, not self proclaimed like a few
others have done in the past. No, this is God saying this and anointing
this man as the top dog of all time. Powerful isn't it, when you really think
about it? To put it plainly there is none other who will ever have that title
bestowed upon them by God. It is John the Baptist's honor to keep forever
and ever. Ministers will come. Ministers will go. Writers will write. And
Speakers will speak. But the best they will ever finish and be ranked in
God's eyes is second. Now this isn't the WBC of boxing. Or the ranking system
of the UFC (Ultimate Cage Fighter). No, that is not my point here. My point
here is to show you that even the one that we can't surpass in God's eyes
as the Greatest can bend and begin to doubt his maker when times get hard. Case
in Point, John the Baptist is ready to be killed in prison.(Matthew
11:2). His time here on earth is almost over as he sits in a
prison cell as an unwanted guest of King Herrod. He is about to be
beheaded. A bad situation for anyone to be under, right? There probable was a
lot of stress there in that prison cell while waiting for his demise.
Tough time, don't you think.? It really doesn't get much worse for anyone. You
would figure that the man who had that honor of the greatest bestowed
upon him by the Christ would yell out some great statement of faith. Some thing
so awesome that it would be heard throughout the channels and years of history.
He is proclaimed the greatest man born to woman in history by God. There has to
be some great, prophetic statement of faith and brilliance made here in his
final hour. But, what do we get. We get a question, a question filled with doubt. A sentence
filled with bewilderment. A phrase that is some what mind boggling.
" Are you the one who was to come. Or should we
expect someone else.? (Matthew 11:2) Baptist asks from
his prison cell in reference to Jesus. Wow.! I grew up with you. I introduced
you. I even baptized you. And now I question you and who you truly are.. Says
the Baptist. Kind of sad don't you think.? Probably broke Jesus Christ
heart. Another dagger to the spirit. Another blow to the purpose. Another
statement made by a man. But not just any man. This time it came from a family
member. Someone who you broke bread with. Shared the Holy Days with. Maybe even
shared your dreams and purpose along the way with. One who you yourself anointed
the Greatest. Oh what the good Lord endured and still endures today because he
loves us so. Christ's response to John the Baptist's question. "
Go back and report to John what you hear and what you see. The blind receive
sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, and 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." (Matthew 11:4) A reply
of the facts. A response based on the truth of what is being seen at the time.
Jesus could have been insulted. He could have acted like he was shocked and
hurt. We could have read that in the Bible, but we don't. Just a statement of
self assurance that I am who I am and you have been right all along John. Let
me ask you my friends. Are you in a season of doubt in your faith? Maybe you
are about to begin questioning the one you have prayed to all these years. Your
pancreatic cancer getting worse and is stage four? Your second divorce
is almost final on paper? But still hurts so that you can barely get up in
the morning because you are so depressed and hopeless. Or are you trying
to get over the loss of a loved one? Maybe someone you have been married to for
nearly fifty years? Or maybe just one year? Whatever it is, whatever the
circumstances that have you living in pain and anguish now. God knows. Are you
questioning like John the Baptist did in his time of peril? God understands! I
believe that the good Lord shows us in John the fragileness of being human.
That no matter how great we are or think that we are, when times get hard it is
not so unusual to begin to fall away from our maker. My advice? Well I am
not one will all the answers or a great deal of wisdom. Nor will I even try and
pretend to be. I will just gently remind you again what Jesus said to John the
Baptist in his time of pain and need. " Blessed is the man who does
not fall away on account of me." Fall to him my friends. Fall
into his waiting arms. Tell him you are scared. Share with him your deepest
needs and fears. God knows already. He is there waiting to hold you and
caress the side of your face ever so gently. Like a loving Father. He won't
judge you like the world might. He won't criticize you because you are scared
and you doubt him. Like a loving God he will reassure you with His truth. He is
your Creator, your Maker, Who knows better what you need than He? Let me
humbly ask you my friends. If Jesus did this for the one whom He proclaimed the
greatest man born to women. Don't you think the Lord would do same for you and
I? He knows, Jesus knows how fragile we truly are. And just as he responded to
his friend John the Baptist, the Lord will respond to you,in Love and Truth.! He is waiting to answer
any question you may have for Him,and
to comfort you in your time of doubt and need. Love you my friends, Humbly
yours , Al
I guess it is safe to say from these scriptures that John
the Baptist knew who was walking towards him. Obviously, he knew who he was
about to dunk under the water in the