GOD’S WORD FOR  NOVEMBER 28

Our  book excerpt today, and ongoing,  is from “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand”  Lessons from the Life of Peter, by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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THOU ART THE CHRIST

(Matthew 16:13-28)

Why would some think He was John the Baptist?  This rumor began with King Herod who had murdered John the Baptist.  Recall that the king had put John in prison because the prophet had boldly told him that it was not lawful for him to take his brother’s wife.  He married her anyway and when the daughter of his new wife danced at a party, Herod promised her anything she would ask, even up to half of his kingdom.  Her mother, now in the king’s court, was so incensed about John the Baptist’s petty moral judgments that she requested his head.  To please his new bride and to save face, Herod had John executed immediately.  (Matthew 14:2-12).

Understandably, the king had some sleepless nights about this shameless murder and was haunted by the possibility that John might rise from the dead.  Christ’s miracles made him think that this dreaded possibility had come true.  When word reached him about the activities of Christ, he said, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead; and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”  So the rumor circulated among the people:  This is John the Baptist.

Others said Christ was Elijah.  This was based on the prophecy in the last chapter of the Old Testament:  “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.”  (Malachi 4:5).  Many believed that Elijah would literally return.

If they had paid close attention, they would have realized that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of this prophecy.  He was not the reincarnation of Elijah, but he had a similar ministry.  The explanation of this prophecy is found in the words of an angel to John’s father Zacharias:

“And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah.” (Luke 1:17).  Yes, in this sense Elijah had come, but they didn’t  realize it.  Earlier,  Jesus explains this fact in Matthew 11:13-14.

Other said Jesus was Jeremiah,  the weeping prophet.  Jeremiah wept over Jerusalem, just as Jesus would do shortly, as we see in Matthew 23:37.   Or, He might be one of the other prophets.

The people of Christ’s day made some willful mistakes in understanding Him.  They should have seen his miracles, heard His sermons, and come to a better conclusion.  But many in our day, despite the advantages of education, communication and a more privileged perspective, have equally confused beliefs regarding Christ.

Christ cannot be ignored.  Whether in this life or the next, all men will eventually find themselves in His presence, with Him either as Savior or as Judge.  Ultimately, everyone has t make up his or her mind about Him.  The masses in Christ’s day gave their response.  He had, however, one more question to ask.

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Matthew 3:1-5 ~ ~ In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,  and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”   For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: (Isaiah 40:3)

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:  ‘Prepare the way of the Lord;  Make His paths straight.’ ”

Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.    Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.

Matthew 11:11~ ~ Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Matthew 11:13-14 ~ ~  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.

Matthew 23:37~ ~ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

John 3:30

He must increase, but I must decrease.

Matthew 11:12~ ~ And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

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