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Look, Look, Look! - Part 1
by Pastor Alex M. Lindsay
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Reference: Matthew 11:1-6

According to Matthew 11:2, John the Baptist was in prison. Some think that John was discouraged and doubting, when he sent two disciples to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah, or if they should keep looking for another. It is very unlikely that John was doubting the very thing for which he had dedicated his life. He had the witness from God's Spirit while he was still in the womb (Luke 1:39-44). God's Spirit bore witness again, at Christ's baptism (John 1:19-34 cp. Matthew 3:13-17). John 3:22-36 makes it crystal-clear that John the Baptist was certain that Jesus was and is the Christ. So, what was John doing, sending disciples over to question Jesus?

John 3:30 reveals the agenda that John the Baptist had in his ministry: "He must increase, but I must decrease." His purpose in life was to point people to Christ and not draw attention to himself (John 1:29-30; 10:41-42). John was not here to create his own following. He came to prepare people to follow Christ (Isaiah 40:3-5; Mark 1:1-8). From the beginning, John was sending disciples to follow Jesus. One of them was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother (John 1:35-40). Therefore, it should be understood that when John was in prison, he was not doubting, but directing. He probably knew that his earthly ministry was ending. His disciples would need to know what to do after his decease. It was time to direct his disciples to move on and follow Jesus. They needed to see, first-hand, the power and truth of who Jesus was and is.

Let's consider how we should be looking today:

Look for Christ as the only way of salvation and life - John 14:6

The question, "Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?" (Matthew 11:3 - NKJV) is something that every person needs to consider. What you think of Jesus Christ is the most important thing about you (Matthew 16:13-18; John 3:36; 8:23-24; I John 5:12). That people should be looking for Him tells us that God has spoken of Him specifically, identifying Him to be the only way of salvation (Psalm 2:1-12; Luke 24:44-48).

John 3:14-18 points us to a story found in Numbers 21:4-9. Because the children of Israel complained and grumbled a lot, God sent fiery serpents among them. Deadly bites were killing many people. People inquired of Moses for help. God instructed Moses to set up a brass serpent on a poll. Whoever would look at the brass serpent would not die. They would be healed. It took pure simple faith to do this. The message then was "Look and Live." The message now is "Look to Jesus Christ and live - receive eternal life and never perish!"

To be continued…

Originally delivered August 15, 2021
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