John’s Obstructionism
The plan’s success hinged on John the Baptist fulfilling what God and Jesus expected of him. They hoped John would testify to Jesus with his whole heart and throw his full, enthusiastic, and unflagging support behind him, and continue that support for decades.
The Gospels tell us that all of this did not happen. Instead, John testified to Jesus just one time, briefly. And that was in the wilderness near the River Jordan, far from the hearing of any among the priestly establishment. Later, his enthusiasm collapsed entirely. He said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). In effect, he decoupled himself from Jesus—whether out of jealousy, resentment, or pride we don’t know—and abandoned Jesus to fend for himself.
John’s belief in his cousin’s Messiahship was rotted with doubt. From his prison cell, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus whether he were indeed the Messiah, “or shall we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3). Ultimately, Jesus sadly chastised John, saying of him that “the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11)—which he meant as a condemnation, not a compliment (see Matthew 5:19).
Due to John’s unbelief, there was no bulwark to protect Jesus from the priests’ plotting and the masses’ fickleness.
How This Helps Us Have a Real Relationship With the Real Jesus
When we understand that John the Baptist was a “saint” who miserably failed his divinely appointed mission, we can understand Jesus’ heart of desperation and anguish so much better.
Our hearts go out to our Lord, and we become energized to become successful John the Baptists for Jesus, so we may help God build His Kingdom in these latter days.
Spiritual Exercises
● In order to deeply contemplate Jesus’ feelings of desperation and anguish over John's failure and the Kingdom’s delay, find a quiet space and prayerfully read passages describing Jesus’ final days and his interactions with John’s disciples (e.g., Matthew 11:2-15). Imagine the weight of his mission and the disappointment he must have felt. Spend time in silent reflection, allowing yourself to feel even a fraction of his urgency and sorrow. Ask God to reveal how this understanding can fuel your own commitment to testifying to the real Jesus and soothing His ongoing anguish.
● Energetically pray for the strength and clarity to be a powerful and unwavering witness for the real Jesus in our time. Dedicate specific prayer time to asking God to equip you to be a “successful John the Baptist” in your sphere of influence. Pray for boldness, unwavering faith, and the ability to clearly point others to the real Jesus through your words and actions. Ask for discernment to understand the specific ways you can prepare the way for the Kingdom in these “latter days.”