Jesus' Cousin John

5 days ago
2 min read

You were told that the experience of a man in the Bible, who was no ordinary man, would be our focus. Who then is this man born of woman, prominent, and high-ranking among the people of his day? Who is this well-known leader, preacher, teacher and prophet? He is not Jesus, but Jesus’ cousin. He is John the Baptist. Have you ever thought that this great man, this man who baptised people, preparing the way for Messiah, this man of whom Jesus testified great things, experienced this malady? Here is Jesus’ elaborate and illustrious testimony about His cousin John, as recorded in Matthew 11: 11 - 14.

Jesus charged him as being the greatest person, ever born of a woman. Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.
Jesus hailed John as the pioneer, until His coming on the scene, from whose days the Kingdom of heaven suffered violence, taking it by force. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Jesus named John as the end of the prophesying of the prophets and the law. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
Jesus called John, not just a prophet, but the promised, new Elijah. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.

This is the man of high renown who has been placed before you. There is no way that you and I have been given such a testimony by Jesus. Now, if John could suffer such a malady, who are you, humble, lowly servant of Jesus, not to have such an experience in your own time of temptation? Are you greater than John? Thank the Father that you, in your little state, can be counted important enough, and worthy enough to suffer this malady. It is the specific malady spoken of previously. It is the time when piercing, powerful temptations are upon you to second-guess and become unsure about who Jesus is to you. It is when you are dealing with the pangs and pulls of depressing fears and doubts about Jesus, as God’s sent Saviour.

John had such a time, as he too was tempted to doubt what he so firmly believed and taught at one time.

We shall approach and receive all that is being brought to us, from three standpoints. These are, the past, the present and the predestined. Therein, we look forward to being fully refreshed, completely renewed and totally quickened in mind and spirit.