Why is it that only two smelly fisherman were able to recognize and follow the Messiah that day on the banks of the Jordan River while the majority of the people and the religious leaders in Israel never spoke a word to Him? I believe it's because of a couple things. Namely this: when we refuse to listen to the Spirit, no matter what it is, our hearts become hardened. And because our hearts our hard, we're unwilling to let go of our own preconceived ideas. We then miss out on bigger opportunities for growth in our relationship with God because those opportunities didn't meet our expectations. This is why the majority of the people, the scribes, pharisees, and religious leaders of the day didn't accept Jesus when John so unequivocally pointed Him out.
OK, now the fun part: how did I come to that conclusion? Well, let's start with John the Baptist...
John was the voice crying in the wilderness. It was his job to prepare the way for the Messiah. He was to be the Holy Spirit's tool in preparing the people's hearts, so that when the Messiah came, they would be ready to receive him.
In the chapter I read, Ellen White writes that in the ancient times, when a king was going to travel through part of his kingdom that he rarely went through, they would send men ahead to prepare the way. They would fill up the chuck holes and level all the bumps and small hills in the road so that the king might ride in safety. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, and John was a tool He used to perform this task, to prepare the way for the Messiah. The Spirit, through John, leveled human pride and filled the holes of evil in the people's hearts.
"When the Spirit of God, with its marvelous awakening power, touches the soul, it abases human pride. Worldly pleasure and position and power are seen to be worthless. 'Imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God' are cast down; every thought is brought into captivity 'to the obedience of Christ.' 2 Corinthians 10:5. Then humility and self-sacrificing love, so little valued among men, are exalted as alone of worth. This is the work of the gospel, of which John's message was a part" (Desire of Ages, pg. 135).
Now, what happened to the priests and leaders and all the other random people who never found the Messiah when John so bluntly pointed Him out at the Jordan River? Well, I'll let these quotes explain that...
"During the preceding months of the Baptist's ministry, many had refused to heed the call to repentance. Thus they had hardened their hearts and darkened their understanding. When Heaven bore testimony to Jesus at His baptism, they perceived it not. Eyes that had never been turned in faith to Him that is invisible beheld not the revelation of the glory of God; ears that had never listened to His voice heard not the words of the witness" (Desire of Ages, pg. 136.1, emphasis added).
And then later on, when John points Jesus out again as the Lamb of God, she writes...
"To the multitude, however, it seemed impossible that the One designated by John should be associated with their lofty anticipations. Thus many were disappointed, and greatly perplexed. The words which the priests and rabbis so much desired to hear, that Jesus would now restore the kingdom to Israel, had not been spoken. For such a king they had been waiting and watching; such a king they were ready to receive. But one who sought to establish in their hearts a kingdom of righteousness and peace, they would not accept" (Desire of Ages, pg. 138.3).
How on earth could this happen? You'd think that because John so bluntly and clearly pointed out Jesus as the Messiah, that even an idiot would recognize Him. But sadly, when we refuse to listen to that still, small Voice, we become blind to the obvious. Because the people hadn't listened to the Holy Spirit's pleading voice when He first began to speak through John, they were not willing to let go of their own expectations. So when the signs became more obvious and Jesus actually was walking among them, rubbing shoulders with them, they still failed of recognizing and accepting the world's Savior because He didn't meet their expectations.
What about Andrew and John, Jesus' first two followers? How did they end up following Him and then asking the fateful question, "...Rabbi, where dwellest thou?" (John 1:38 KJV).
"They [John and Andrew] had responded to the Holy Spirit's call in the preaching of John the Baptist. Now they recognized the voice of the heavenly Teacher. To them the words of Jesus were full of freshness and truth and beauty. A divine illumination was shed upon the teaching of the Old Testament Scriptures. The many-sided themes of truth stood out in new light" (Desire of Ages, pg. 139.2, emphasis added).
Andrew and John had preconceived ideas about the Messiah's mission just like the Scribes and Pharisees and everyone else living in that time. They longed for a king full of splendor and power, who would make Israel the ruling nation of the world once more. But what made the difference? What made them get up and trot after that Man who looked so much like anyone else, so unlike a king? The difference was that when they first heard the Spirit speaking through John, they listened. They responded. So even though they still had some misplaced expectations [not sure if that's the correct term], the Spirit made them willing to let go of those expectations, to see that there could be something more to this Messiah than what they'd originally thought. Thus they were still able to recognize and follow the Savior, despite their preconceived ideas.
So, what's the practical application in all of this?
When we listen to the Spirit's voice in the small things, He will prepare us to let go of any preconceived ideas we may have. Then when Jesus comes walking down our way in life, offering us larger opportunities for growth, we'll be ready to jump up and follow Him, and like the disciples, ask, "Where are you staying?" (see John 1:38).
So listen to the Spirit when He calls you today. No matter what it is, listen. Do what He asks you to do. The only way we can ensure that we will recognize and follow Jesus when He calls us is if we are listening to Him today in the small things. We all have preconceived ideas about what God should do in our lives, expectations that we don't even know about, just like the scribes, pharisees, and the disciples. However, if we make it a habit to listen to the Spirit the best we know how right now, He'll make us willing to let go of those misplaced expectations; He'll level all those bumps and chuck holes in our hearts, and we'll be ready for when Jesus walks into our lives and calls us to follow Him. Our eyes will be open to the obvious.
All we need to do is listen and respond.
Sshhh...Are you listening?
Thank you Wallie for sharing...a very good reminder. I can really relate. Love you!
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