To understand this phenomenon abundantly, we
should go to The Age of Christ. The Age of Christ was a mixture of different
religious doctrines; even the Jews were practicing different religious views.
About 144 B.C. Jews were divided in thee major tribes, namely: Pharisees,
Sadducees, and Essenees or Therapeutaees. However, they all were agreed on the
fact that the Promised Messiah is yet to come and they were anxiously waiting
for Him. They were so anxious about this that they inquired John the Baptist:
“And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites
from Jerusalem
Before
going any further, let me tell you that the Bible is a Multifaceted Book. It is
not like any other ordinary book, but it comprises deeper inner meanings. It
contains symbolism on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, most of the
theologians have misinterpreted these lines. They argue that John the Baptist
doubted Jesus Christ as he was languishing in prison for about two years.
However, I do not agree with these theologians. If John the Baptist had any
doubt in his mind, this means that the prophesies, which he had personally made
about Jesus Christ, were also doubtful and uncertain. How can a prophet
misjudge as they are ruled by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit cannot inspire
error or doubt. Did John the Baptist stumble over Jesus Christ? The answer is
no.
The fact is that, John the Baptist wanted to
clarify the position of Jesus Christ in front of his disciples; so that his
disciples can reconcile with the disciples of Jesus Christ and do not form any
other tribe after his death as there were three doctrines already working. John
the Baptist on each and every time accepts the Greatness of Jesus Christ. In
John 1:29-36 John the Baptist declares Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the
Promised Messiah. He allows two of his disciples to join Jesus Christ and they
joined Him. This clearly shows that John the Baptist wanted his disciples to
follow Jesus Christ. And for your interest, three out of twelve disciples that
Jesus Christ had, were associated from John the Baptist, namely: Peter, Andrew
and Philip. This clarifies the fact that John the Baptist wanted his disciples
to shift towards Jesus Christ. He handed over his ministry to Jesus Christ and
therefore, he had no doubt in his mind about Jesus Christ. He wanted Jesus
Christ to flourish as his duty was just to prepare the way for Jesus Christ.
Theologians may not agree but if he had any doubt about Jesus Christ then why
did he exclaims otherwise when he was asked: “John answered and said: A man can
receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me
witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but, I have been sent before Him. He
who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who
stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. And
so this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
(John 3:22-30)
So, where you place yourself now? I think you
are agreed at last that John the Baptist was in no doubt about Jesus Christ.
John the Baptist knew everything about the prophesies made for Jesus Christ. He
also knew that he is going to be killed shortly; therefore, he did not want his
disciples to live astray, he wanted to associate them with Jesus Christ,
however he linked them in an out of the ordinary manner. And Jesus Christ also
answered him in an eccentric way. He did not say, “Yes, I am the Promised
Messiah,” instead he performed miracles in front of their eyes so that they can
strengthen the witness of John the Baptist and shift towards Him. This process
of shifting was not a physical one but a spiritual one, that’s why John the
Baptist uses complex way and Jesus Christ replies in an excellent manner.
Now one thing is sure that John the Baptist
had no doubt about Jesus Christ in his mind; he just wanted to link the
remaining part of Jews towards Him and sends his disciples to witness
physically. But now another question may lurk up in your mind that if John the
Baptist had no doubt in his mind than why did Jesus Christ exclaims: “And
blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me.” Is He saying this about John
the Baptist? The answer is no. Every theologian has give the same remarks after
reading these verses that Jesus Christ is here speaking about John the Baptist.
Here, I do not accept the claim made by the theologians that this is said about
John the Baptist. If it is not said for John the Baptist then for whom it is
said? This is the question that needs to be solved and preached throughout the
world.
Now follow me carefully. This
exclamation made by Jesus Christ holds deeper implication. It is not for John
the Baptist but for the Jews of that time. Everyone will agree with me on the
account that the Pharisees and other learned Jews opposed Jesus Christ and
doubted his personality. In Matthew 13: 53-58 they regard him to be the son of
a carpenter and took offense at Him. And He did not do many miracles there
because of their unbelief. They also doubted Him in this regard that He
performed miracles; according to them he was doing this with the help of
Beelzebub. Though they were waiting for a Promised Messiah, they were not willing
to accept Him as the Promised Messiah. In Matthew 12:38-45, the Pharisees and
some of the scribes ask for a sign and Jesus Christ replies to them that no
sign shall be given to that evil and adulterous generation except the sign of
Jonah. On numerous occasions the Jews doubted about the Promised Messiah, Jesus
Christ. Even while Crucifying they did not accept Him to be their Messiah; and
not even after He was raised from the dead. You can also witness that on
several occasions the Jews contradicted Jesus Christ and offended Him. But John
the Baptist never ever offended or doubted Jesus Christ.
Therefore, is this realistic that Jesus Christ
would have left the doubtful Jews and charged the witnessing John the Baptist,
who witnessed about His truth? Of course not. Let me introduce the thought
provoking verses from the same so-called doubted paragraph in front of you: “And
when the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the multitudes about
John, what did you go out into the wilderness to look at? …..… A prophet? Yes,
I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet. …….. And when all the people
and the tax-gatherers heard this, they acknowledged God’s justice having been
baptized with the baptism of John the Baptist. But the Pharisees and the
lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves…” Then Jesus Christ forcefully
says: “To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are
they like?” (Luke 7:24-35). Now who did
disagree with Jesus Christ? Surely the Pharisees and other men of that time.
They rejected God’s purpose for themselves and Christ knew in advance that they
will do this; that’s why Jesus Christ indirectly warned them in the words: “And
blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me.”
Jesus Christ knew that the
Pharisees always stumble over Him; therefore, He notifies them in an indirect
and quiet manner. Apparently it seems that He is saying this about John the
Baptist but in reality He is saying this about the Pharisees and the
stone-hearted Jews of His times who carried doubts about Him, His Father and
the Holy Spirit. Undoubtedly, the said text needs a deeper understanding;
otherwise, it seems misleading even to the greatest of the theologians. I am
hopeful that this explanation will serve your purpose and will surely force you
to think it otherwise. May God Bless you all. (Amen).
Brother in Christ,
Jamshed Gill
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