See for Yourself

There are some things that we learn best if we experience them for ourselves. There were things my father told me that were for my own good. I respected him, and yet it seemed like I had to test some out on my own. I remember doing the same thing with my kids. There are many wise people around us, that if we would actually listen, would save us a lot of problems. I think it is one of those flaws that come with sin. We find ways to justify it, but most of it comes from not wanting someone else to tell us what we should be doing. I was thinking about one of the Scripture lessons for tomorrow. John the Baptist was the only prophet, other than Jesus, to be prophesied about before he was even born. His job was to prepare the way for Jesus, which he did boldly. He even spoke against rulers and their sinful behavior, which is why he landed in jail. From jail, John heard all that Jesus was doing. I’m not sure how much John doubted who Jesus was and how much he just wanted his disciples to follow Jesus. If he had told them to leave him and follow Jesus, most of them would have refused and stayed with John out of loyalty and ministry. If they wouldn’t listen to his direction to follow Jesus, he decided to introduce them to Him. John is in jail, so how can he do this? He tells them to go ask Jesus whether He was the One to come or if they should be waiting for another one. Jesus’ response in Matthew 11 is, ...The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” Isaiah prophesied of the blind seeing and the deaf speaking. It was confirmation that Jesus was the Messiah. It also revealed to John’s disciples that his ministry was to prepare for Jesus, and the Messiah had come. In the Gospel of John, we already hear of John the Baptist pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God and some followed Him. Who is it in your life that you have tried to share the word of God with, and they just don’t seem to want to hear. Maybe they need to see Jesus for themselves. Invite them to church, a Bible study, a Christian movie, or pray that God wouldf reveal Himself to them. God, Your desire is not to be hidden from Your children. For those that struggle in their faith, reveal Yourself to them in Your own way. Amen