Do you ever think God should have done something a different way? I regret to admit that I have had this thought many times. However, recently, the Lord is teaching me just how arrogant that way of thinking really is. I mean really...we think we know better than God...?? When you put words to it, it sounds so awful, doesn't it?
That's exactly what is happening in Chapter 11. John the Baptist, the messenger who was to come prepare the way for Jesus' arrival, is in prison. But he hears word that perhaps the Messiah has finally come and made Himself known through miracles. So John sends some of his disciples (people learning under him) to go check out Jesus since he (John) is in prison. Jesus response to them is,
"Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me" (vs. 5-6).
As they leave, Jesus begins telling the other people around Him (because there were always people wanting to be around Jesus) that John the Baptist, the crazy guy from the wilderness was in fact the one sent to prepare the way for Jesus. But the people had had such a hard time believing that this crazy guy could have been he, so Jesus, knowing their hearts, says, "Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way before you.’"
How often are you tempted to guide Jesus in what He should do? "No, Jesus, I would do this a different way if I were you. I don't think you really get it. You can't possibly use that person! I mean, look at them! And you certainly don't expect me to do that, do you?"
But then Jesus assures us that He did choose John the Baptist. “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!" He says, Yes, I chose Him. Locust-eater and all. And none of you are greater than Him because he has a heart for Me and my kingdom. And remember what God said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD (Isaiah 55:8). And "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7).
We are so trivial aren't we? The Jews wanted their Messiah to come in with riches and gold in hand, riding in a large caravan of animals and people and slaying all their enemies. Our Messiah has riches, but they are worth far more than gold -- His wisdom, His love, His mercy and compassion, and His SALVATION and He will give them ALL to us! He humbly came in as a baby and later on one little donkey with his disciples as He entered the place where he would die, but he didn't blare horns and make a parade and a spectacle of Himself. And He continues to fight our enemy for us everyday, and one day He will slay him for good! I could have never come up with that, and yet, that is SO much better than what we thought we wanted, isn't it?
Do we even know what we want? I don't think we do. Jesus then says this:
“To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, ‘We played wedding songs,
and you didn’t dance,
so we played funeral songs,
and you didn’t mourn.’
For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
Truly, we don't even know what we really want, or what is best for us. But Jesus does. If I have learned anything in the past year, it is that God really does know best. He knows what is best for me as an individual and us as a nation of people in this current generation. I am daily reminded as I read Scripture how NO man could come up with the wisdom that I find in the Bible. It is absolutely a Diety-inspired and crafted book.
So often we are focusing on all the wrong things. The trivial, meaningless things. Lord, how I pray You would show us what matters most to You and how we can live according to Your plan for the humanity that You love.
We should not be telling God to get with our program, dear ones! We know nothing compared to the mind and ways of our Lord. I pray you and I will strive today to get on God's page today.
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