John the Baptist

[beckrl]

I haven't given much taught to this, but was thinking of the passages about being deceived and then taught of John and was reading...Matthew 11:2-3

1And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
2Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

This passage does not say one word in the direction that John the Baptist doubted the identity of Christ, but some come to the conclusion that there was no mistaking the fact that John wanted to know for sure if Jesus was indeed the Expected One.

But as I read and examine the scriptures many passages of the Bible make it clear that John the Baptist was a true believer, so the general context of the Bible teaches us that John the Baptist would never doubt the identity of Christ and would never make God a liar by refusing the testimony that He gave about His Son and which John himself declared:

“And I knew him not; but he who sent me to baptise with water, he said to me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding on him, he it is who baptises with [the] Holy Spirit. And I have seen and borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:33-34)

John sent his disciples when he heard about the works that Jesus was doing. Now, as Jesus didn’t tell John something new as a proof concerning His identity but gave him an explanation about some facts concerning His Kingdom, so the doubt or confusion of John was not turning around the identity of Jesus. John heard about the works of Jesus, and the answer of Jesus was like “look at my works!”… Do you think this is an appropriate answer addressed to a believer like John concerning a doubt related to the identity of Christ? John already knew that Jesus is the Christ. In fact, he was the one who declared the beginning of His ministry to Israel.

One of the key truths that help understand the question of John is the condition of his disciples. Before this event in which these disciples are commanded by John to go ask Jesus, anytime we meet the disciples of John we see them in disagreement and opposition with Jesus.

“Then come to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees often fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said to them, Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn so long as the bridegroom is with them? But days will come when the bridegroom will have been taken away from them, and then they will fast. But no one puts a patch of new cloth on an old garment, for its filling up takes from the garment and a worse rent takes place. Nor do men put new wine into old skins, otherwise the skins burst and the wine is poured out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into new skins, and both are preserved together.” (Matthew 9:14-17)

You see how the disciples of John in this passage put themselves in the same camp with the Pharisees and ask Jesus for an explanation concerning a “problem” in His disciples’ fasting… And we see how Jesus answers them: He clarifies to them that the New Covenant fasting is not like the Old Covenant fasting, and the real Bridegroom is Him, Jesus. This shows that the disciples of John were still insisting on following the Old Covenant way, when the Christ had already come. They wanted to put a patch of new cloth on an old garment.

The disciples of John once also had a strong debate with the Jews concerning purification: was it their master’s, John’s baptism that purified, or was it the Christ’s baptism? Their misunderstanding about the baptism of John which was the baptism of repentance pointing to Christ whose blood alone can purify us. So the disciples of John missed the whole point, and concentrated on the sign of baptism rather than on the essence.

“There was therefore a reasoning of the disciples of John with a Jew about purification. And they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, he who was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, he baptises, and all come to him.” (John 3:25-26)

The answer is: John did not send his disciples to Jesus because of any doubt in himself concerning Jesus’ identity. That simple. The problem was with the disciples of John. Therefore, the passage of Luke makes it clear that Jesus didn’t simply answer the question of those disciples, but in that hour. He made some miracles before them! And this was the purpose of John from sending his disciples to Jesus: that they may see His works by themselves and hear His testimony. They now received the testimony practically, and when they returned to John, he certainly explained to them how what Jesus told them was the fulfillment of the prophecies that talked about Christ.

“His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.” (Matthew 14:12)

So the disciples had to finally understand that Jesus was the Messiah, the one who was to come, and they should cease to wait or look for another… And John reached his goal by sending his disciples to Jesus.

So what is your thoughts?

[beckrl]

A question for you.
Why would John or his disciples be "offended" in Jesus?

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

[PastorRonB]

There are, in all our lives, times when we don't understand everything that takes place around us. IMHO this was the case with John the Baptist. Early on in the ministries of John and Jesus, it was John the Baptist who first declared "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1). He made the same pronouncement 24 hours later. He seems to have clearly understood Is. 53 and the concept of the "lamb of God". John the Baptist knew that Jesus was coming to lay down His life for our sins... coming to die.
But later, at the time when John is asking the question, "Is He the one or should we look for another?" it didn't look anything at all like Jesus was headed for death. Reading the previous chapters shows a Jesus that is quite popular (not despised and rejected), He has thousands of people following Him. They're talking about making Him King! It cannot be denied that Jesus had this period of popularity.
But this didn't fit John's theology of how things were going to happen. Jesus was supposed to be "the Lamb of God" in John's thinking - not this hero who had a great following. This left Him somewhat confused.
The same thing happens to us when things don't happen like we thought they would. We struggle with what we see wondering "what happened?"
It's interesting that although John knew well Is. 53, he seems to have totally forgotten Is. 52:13 "Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high."
As is true with most times of discouragement and/or confusion - usually a deficiency in understanding God's Word is the cause. When we clearly understand Who God is, what God can do (anything), and what He wants from us (faith and obedience), most confusion and discouragement will disappear.
Again, opinions on this are many - - this is mine.

[beckrl]

I have no scriptures at this time, but could it be that John was looking for another because of Jesus works?

Which was healing the blind,cleaning the lepers, the deaf to hear, raising up the dead, and preaching the gospel to the poor.

The idenity of Jesus, John had not doubts of as being the Son of God the Messiah. Although he may have had another idea of the "works" of the Messiah. Should not the Messiah be as a Lion of Juda which should rule with a rod of iron. At lest that is what John preached;

Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:12

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel matthew 2:6

Remember John preached hell fire and repentance, but heared of the works of Jesus and may have questions, at lest one question.

And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Matthew 11:3

So we may find the reason why Jesus responed to the question of John by given "Go tell John again those things which ye do hear and see." Were as Jesus ending with....

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me

Or offended by my works. Not only did John and his disciples question the One to come, but also Jesus disciples missed understood alot of the time whom Jesus the Messiah was; As the Lamb of God and not that ruler with a rod in his hand the Lion of Juda.

How do John the apostle view this in revelation? He heard that the Lion of Juda would open the book, but then looked and saw the Lamb.

4And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. Revelation 5:4-7

[Faith rider]

2Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?


I recall a sermon preached in the NC State Convention several years ago using this scipture as the starting point.
It was entitled. " Is This The Bible Church, Or Should We Look for Another?"

[ImaPK]

I think John knew he was about to die and he was wondering if Christ was "the real deal" or had he been wasting all those years preaching "false doctrine".

[TW]

It should be noted that the Jewish concept of the Messiah is very different than the concept that Christians have. Remembering that John was a Jew, the concept that he was familiar with would be the Jewish one.

From: Judaism 101
Mashiach: The Messiah

The Mashiach

The mashiach will be a great political leader descended from King David (Jeremiah 23:5). The mashiach is often referred to as "mashiach ben David" (mashiach, son of David). He will be well-versed in Jewish law, and observant of its commandments (Isaiah 11:2-5). He will be a charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example. He will be a great military leader, who will win battles for Israel. He will be a great judge, who makes righteous decisions (Jeremiah 33:15). But above all, he will be a human being, not a god, demi-god or other supernatural being.

http://www.jewfaq.org/mashiach.htm

The Jews were looking for that great king that would restore Israel to greatness and drive the Romans out. However Jesus displayed very little of what they were expecting. Thus John's question.


TW