Matthew 11:7, 9-11 & 15 (Amp)
Then as these men went their way, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: What did you go out in the wilderness (desert) to see? A reed swayed by the wind? What did you go out to see then? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in the houses of kings.But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one [out of the common, more eminent, more remarkable, and] superior to a prophet. This is the one of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who shall make ready Your way before You.Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And if you are willing to receive and accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come [before the kingdom]. He who has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him consider and perceive and comprehend by hearing.
When John the Baptist was going through contradiction in his time, he sent a message to Jesus to ask Jesus if He was truely the Messiah or he should wait for another. He must have felt that he might have made a big mistake in pointing Jesus to the people as the Messiah.
The message reaching Jesus, Jesus also reply back to John the Baptist, Jesus when forward by talking about him. Jesus said things concerning John the Baptist that John himself might not have known. Jesus saying that John the Baptist was more than a prophet, for he is the one who prepared the way for (me) the Messiah, he was the greatest man that had ever lived at that time and that he was the Elijah that was to come.
Now can you imagine such wonderful words coming from Jesus Himself? If John the Baptist knew all this, maybe he would have been focusing on the blessings and rewards that God had for him and he would have been rejoicing and giving thanks to God for helping him succeed in fulfilling his ministry.
When we go through times of contradictions, the greatest temptations we face is to doubt ourselves. Even the devil and the people around us may attempt to capitalize on the contradictions we are going through to lie to us and make us feel like failures and insignificance.
But the bible speaking of Jesus that when He was suffering and dying it is for our sake, we may thought He was being punished and afflicted by God for his own wrong doings not knowing that all those suffering were for us to be free, Isa.53:4. Same like Joseph, there will be many things that we may go through that will look like God is punishing us or maybe something is wrong with us.
God wants us to keep the faith. We should not be offended at God or at ourself. Do not allow what it looks like to make you feel down and give up on God. Focus your eyes on God and allow Him to strengthen you continually. Allow the way that God sees you to strengthen and keep you in His love through Christ Jesus.
🙏 Heavenly Father, I degree and declare that anyone going through a time of contradiction. Give us your children the grace to see ourselves the way you see us.In Jesus name Amen.
Congratulations @nsioscar! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
You can view your badges on your board And compare to others on the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPDo not miss the last post from @hivebuzz: