Don't we like...
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Object:
Don't we like to be sure? Was John an agnostic? Did he doubt who Jesus was? He may have sent his disciples to Jesus for their benefit, so they could hear for themselves what John already knew. Or as he was suffering in the jail, was he having a few doubts?
Don't we all sometimes have a few doubts? When some come to us and ask how we can know for sure that Jesus is Lord, do we do what the disciples did and tell them to come (go) and see? We should want them to find out for themselves and not just take our word.
When you have had a miraculous experience with the Lord, it can be just an interesting story to our friends. They must have it for themselves to convince them of its truth. I was healed from asthma when I was 42 by prayers in a Bible study in Ogden, Utah. It has not come back in over forty years! My wife had doubts about healings until we went for our mission in Nepal and she saw people healed there before her eyes. I have seen many healed in our country -- yes, even in Lutheran meetings! Lutherans sometimes have more trouble with miracles and dump it all on the Pentecostals! All we can say is "Go and see"!
When our minds are filled with "science," it can be a stumbling block to believing in what God can do. It is much easier for new believers here or in the mission field to believe.
Pastors may be the John the Baptists today. We may not dress like John, but we are called to bring others to know the Lord. We were called to prepare the way! We may suffer for it, but if even one is brought to know the Lord because of us, we have accomplished something. But again we need to say, "Don't just believe us because of what we say, go and meet God in scripture and prayer and he will come to you. See what God is doing in this world." That was Jesus' answer: Look and see what I am doing. See the miracles performed before your eyes. Then you will believe. Then go tell John or our family or friends!
We sometimes vainly look for praise and honor for ourselves while we are alive, but as great as John the Baptist was, he is nothing compared to those in heaven. Let that be our goal and let us humbly seek to be among those whom our Lord will usher into his heavenly home.
Don't we all sometimes have a few doubts? When some come to us and ask how we can know for sure that Jesus is Lord, do we do what the disciples did and tell them to come (go) and see? We should want them to find out for themselves and not just take our word.
When you have had a miraculous experience with the Lord, it can be just an interesting story to our friends. They must have it for themselves to convince them of its truth. I was healed from asthma when I was 42 by prayers in a Bible study in Ogden, Utah. It has not come back in over forty years! My wife had doubts about healings until we went for our mission in Nepal and she saw people healed there before her eyes. I have seen many healed in our country -- yes, even in Lutheran meetings! Lutherans sometimes have more trouble with miracles and dump it all on the Pentecostals! All we can say is "Go and see"!
When our minds are filled with "science," it can be a stumbling block to believing in what God can do. It is much easier for new believers here or in the mission field to believe.
Pastors may be the John the Baptists today. We may not dress like John, but we are called to bring others to know the Lord. We were called to prepare the way! We may suffer for it, but if even one is brought to know the Lord because of us, we have accomplished something. But again we need to say, "Don't just believe us because of what we say, go and meet God in scripture and prayer and he will come to you. See what God is doing in this world." That was Jesus' answer: Look and see what I am doing. See the miracles performed before your eyes. Then you will believe. Then go tell John or our family or friends!
We sometimes vainly look for praise and honor for ourselves while we are alive, but as great as John the Baptist was, he is nothing compared to those in heaven. Let that be our goal and let us humbly seek to be among those whom our Lord will usher into his heavenly home.
