Matthew 11:3-5
Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.
Please note that there had to be a presumption by Jesus that the audience he was addressing was well aware of what the Messiah was prophesied to bring, verses what they may have wanted him to bring. So he told them to consider what they saw, not what they thought. And the difficulty Jesus was having convincing people of who he was, is exactly what we will be facing today.
In matter of fact, before we go any further, may I give you a word of warning? As we endeavor to follow the lifestyle and example of Jesus, there’s a sobering reality we must face. Even as gifted as Jesus was, his power and authority were, (and until this very day continue to be) questioned by folk that claim to be his followers. And their skepticism is based on their personal expectation of what they believe he is suppose to do, verses what he is actually doing.
I issue this warning because if you are in ministry at any level, you may as well get ready for the dreaded feeling of misunderstanding, under-appreciation, rebellion, strife, backbiting, treason and every other evil machination people can come up with. Jesus was faced with them, and you will certainly have to deal with them as well.
John and his messengers knew of the miracles Jesus performed. They just weren’t convinced he was the Messiah. They had a very different expectation of what the Messiah was going to bring. They were looking for a military deliver. A killer. A strong and invincible king. They just weren’t looking for someone like Jesus. No one said he wasn’t a nice guy. No one argued that he didn’t have great skills and talents. But no one was ready to say he was the Messiah. And even fewer were (are) ready to join his selfless cause.
Now before you get all sanctimonious, make sure you don’t fall into this same category. Because I don’t think anyone reading this would disagree that Jesus is an important figure in world history. I can’t imagine any believer that wouldn’t argue that worship, praise, attendance and giving are vital components for true Christian service. But in truth, I’m finding fewer and fewer folk ready to embrace the selfless methodologies that cost Jesus his life. That’s what we’re here to talk about. We’re no longer talking about going to church. We’re now talking about being the Church.
Had Jesus started an army to fight against Rome, he would have had countless adherents following him, even if it meant their lives. But when he preached love as his strategy to conquer the world, his followers were few. In matter of fact, at the time of his death, he was basically alone. No army. No followers. No disciples. All he really had was his word that in three days he’d be back in business. The resurrection was the proof he needed to substantiate the legitimacy of his calling. Only then we’re the miracles relevant. Only then did his claim to be the Son of God resonate with those that would become his apostles. And in the same manner, until we produce practical, verifiable evidence of our discipleship, our message will not become attractive enough to draw people to salvation. And that evidence remains in the same selfless form of sacrifice that Jesus first did for us. We gotta love people no matter what.
We’re singing, praising, worshiping, but if we still aren’t meeting the needs of those in peril and sin, we must ask ourselves, “What additional can we do?” What additional must we do? That’s what we are dealing with today. The additional.
Dear people of purpose, talk is cheap. We must commit ourselves to upholding Evidence Based Christianity. Christian service that mirrors Christ, not ourselves. Remember, Jesus was myopically focused on serving others, loving others, and dying for others. And he proved his point at Calvary. Now it’s our turn.
God bless
