What were you Expecting?

Matthew 11:7-10

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see?”  As a child, my dad would often ask a question much like this, “Bobby, what did you expect from that action?”  And why did you expect the outcome to be different than the last time you did the same thing?  Jesus is asking the crowd that gathered, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?”  And it was a rhetorical question, and He was not expecting a reply, so He answered, “A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.”

The gospel according to Mark in chapter 1:1-8, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”  I often worry that when we call John the Baptist a “Forerunner” many will wonder why we are calling him a Toyota car. Many who in name are Christian, have no real understanding of Biblical truths, if they were to read Isaiah 40:3, they would not have a clue that Isaiah the prophet was referring to John the Baptist, or to Christ’s earthly ministry.

It might be helpful to examine this phrase; “A reed shaken by the wind?  Jesus is using a metaphor of a reed swaying in the wind, for a person who lacks conviction and is easily swayed by public opinion, like many in our government.  But John was not such a man; he was on a mission from God to proclaim the coming of Messiah.  With that said, from heavens-view what kind of a person are you?  I ask myself that question often.  It matters what my family, friends, neighbors, and those I attend church with will say at my funeral, as they look at an earthsuit that is void of life, but if what they say does not match what God is saying, it was all in vain.

So stand for your convictions, do not be swayed by others, and remember that you were placed here for such a time as this.  If you are in Christ, then you are the King’s kid, and we win, I am often reminded that God has promised; “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17)  So my counsel is listen and do whatever the Holy Spirit is telling you, for that is the victory that over comes the world.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice