John 1:29-34
When John begins preparing the way for Jesus, he confesses that he was unaware of who this man was that he was preparing the way for (vs. 31, 33). He is but one person crying out to prepare the way (vs. 23). Although he does not yet know Jesus or who this man will be, he has been anointed by God and he stands on the promise that God will reveal this man to him (vs. 33). His faith in what was hoped for though not yet seen carried him on in strength and confidence leading him to abandon all (Mark 1:6). He needed nothing more than the words and promises of God. It is the same with the disciples when first called. John merely mentions that Jesus is the Lamb of God and two of them begin following Jesus (vs. 36-37). Another is simply told to follow, and he does (vs. 43). Their confidence is so strong at this point that they even begin to go to others and tell of the Messiah, leading them to follow as well (vs. 41, 45). They are already confessing him as Messiah and leaving things behind to follow after him. They have had no promises from Jesus or guarantees of anything. They simply believe he is the promise of God, worth everything. On the opposite side, the religious of the day (the Pharisees) send a delegation to gather more proof, some concrete evidence from John as to what it is that is going on (vs. 19-27). They are not willing to put things on the line here without further evidence and guarantees. They want to know the specifics and the details before they are willing to risk their lives and reputations. We see this same thing in the rich man who wants eternal life, but needs some guarantees first. He is not willing to put his possessions and reputation on the line for just anybody (Mark 10:17-22). He is given no guarantee and therefore leaves sad. Jesus just isn't worth his life and possessions. He cannot venture out on a "whim". He wants assurance from Jesus, not faith, but one cannot have both simultaneously. One comes, then the other (Galations 3:2; Romans 10:17). This was their holdup, their stumbling block in the form of Jesus (I Corinthians 1:23). You see, they had constructed a religion around selfish guarantees. Following the law, a tangible see-able standard, that one could measure and read and ensure compliance, involved no faith. This made things somewhat easier. There was no unknown or reliance on something unseen. Their whole religion was based on human ability and capability within a written code. If someone wanted eternal life, they could give them a list, tell them to follow it, and then guarantee them eternal life. No faith, no walking blindly, no guessing. Just simple rule following, followed by guaranteed eternal life. As long as the standard measured up, it did not really matter what else one's life consisted of. Just don't venture from the standard. But suddenly Jesus comes on the scene preaching things unseen and difficult to follow and understand (John 3:3-8; I Corinthians 1:18). It now takes faith and walking without seeing. The only things he guaranteed us was suffering and hardship (Matthew 10:16-18, 21-25, 34-39; II Timothy 3:12; Philippians 1:29), and eternal life to come (Matthew 19:29; John 6:40), presuming we endure and persevere. Is this enough for us? In that day they could have ease and pleasure in this world and the next, as long as standards and laws were maintained. Jesus tells us that we forsake the riches of this world in favor of riches in another (Mark 4:19; Matthew 6:19-20; Luke 12:33; Luke 14:33). They did not approach this dilemma because their religion said they did not have to. Only Jesus did. Our religion today says the same thing, so neither do we approach this dilemma. However, if we are to follow Christ we must approach it with no guarantee except for his promises to come. He will care for us (Matthew 6:33), but not in the way we prefer, but in his way. Is this enough of a promise for us to lose everything for? The Pharisees wanted proof before they venture out, seeking it both from John (John 1:25) and from Jesus (Matthew 16:1). What is our coming to Jesus like? Complete faith in him and his words or are we out for more of a guarantee? Is he worth everything or just something? For John and the disciples he was worth everything, and they bet their whole lives on it, according to his commands (Matthew 10:39; I Corinthians 6:19-20). Do we believe these words of Jesus that demands losing all to gain all, or the leaven of the Pharisees that says we can simply have it all?
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