Many leaders in our time and before our time have swayed people with their way of speaking, charisma, and political aspirations. They tell us they know what we need and what will happen next. They promise what they cannot possibly deliver. But they do this for their own rise to power. Most times what they say cannot be produced in deeds and actions.A prophet is different. A prophet is only a prophet from God if what he/she says actually happens. Prophets truly from God, being His mouthpiece, doing only what He says, do it for God, not for themselves. If fact, begin a prophet is a lonely life, for this person is warning people of what is to come, hoping to save them from death. The message is messy, distasteful. Most do not want to hear they are lost and dying. They do not want to hear about the consequences of their behavior.
A prophet who is saying what God wants them to say, no matter what happens to them are “all in” with God. They forsake all other activity that satisfy self and only focus on God. Jesus describes John in this way.
Matthew 11
After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
THINK ABOUT IT
Jesus was the proof of John’s message from God. John was born to prepare the way of Jesus. What John said from God would happen, happened. John was a true prophet of God. John had a specific purpose from God. John obeyed. God fulfilled what John relayed to the people about Jesus. Proof.HOLY PAUSE
Do we really believe that we believe is really real?
Even John, while in jail, doubted and had to be assured. Be sure, Jesus came and saved us all from all our sin.
Proof is in the deeds and outcomes of God’s actions.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for your prophets who spoke your Truth. Thank you for Truth in the Person of Jesus Christ, your Son who came to seek and save lost people of which I was once of them. Thank you for saving my soul. Keep my focused on your purpose for me. Change me, when you must. Help me to say what you want, not what I want.
In Jesus Name, Amen
