Jody Ray's Blog

Are You The One?

Posted: March 11, 2009

One of my favorite people in the Bible is John the Baptist. He was the one who was to proclaim the coming of the Messiah. It’s amazing who the people God chooses to deliver His messages. Think about it for a second, God chose John to be His greatest ambassador for the kingdom and the gospel. John was a really interesting guy. He wasn’t really into the cool clothing of the day; Johns choice of camel’s hair clothing wasn’t really in style. John also had very different taste in what one would call “fine dining.” The Bible tells us he ate locust and wild honey. He wasn’t politically correct, nor was he a fan of the religious establishment. John did not really care because he was on a mission. His mission was to prepare the way for Jesus, speak the truth at all costs and rebuke sin. It was this last characteristic of John that got him in so much trouble.

John the Baptist was in prison because he rebuked Herod Antipas of Galilee openly and sternly for seducing his brother’s wife. During a visit to Rome, Herod lures his brother’s wife to return home with him. Upon returning home he divorces his own wife so that he could marry his sister-in-law. John publicly and very sternly rebuked Herod for his sin. The problem was that it was never safe to rebuke a king and because of his actions he was thrown into prison.

In Matthew 11:1-3 John, while in prison, sends messengers to Jesus to ask him a very important question.

“Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

“Are You the One?”

It’s really a great question. It’s a great question that every one of us at some point must answer for ourselves. Jesus – are You the One? I think John questioned Jesus because he was wondering if Jesus had forgotten about him. I can imagine that John’s circumstances caused him to question whether Jesus truly was the Messiah. Jesus, remember me? I’m the guy who told everybody you were coming? I’m on your team Jesus. Have you forgotten me? Are you going to leave me in this prison cell? Jesus are You the One, or should we look for someone else?

Have you ever felt like John? Have you ever questioned if Jesus was really the One? Have your circumstances caused you to question whether or not Jesus can deliver you from the prison? Jesus, are You the One?

It’s a vitally important question for all of us to answer. If Jesus is not the One then we need to stop following Him today! If that’s the case, then let’s sell the church property because this whole thing is just one big made up story that has been crafted in the minds of men. It’s all a really bad joke.

But on the other hand – IF JESUS IS THE ONE – then we need to follow Him at all costs. We need to follow Him with everything we have – with all of our attention and all of our energy. If Jesus is truly the One, then we need to follow Him with a reckless abandonment, with every fiber of our being.

I really like how Jesus responded to the question in verses 4 – 6:

“Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

The question: “Jesus, are You the Coming One or should we expect someone else?” Again, this is a very important question because how we live our lives, the day to day activities, is a testament to what we believe and reflects what our answer to that question is.

Jody Ray's Blog

Are You The One?

Posted: March 11, 2009

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