It is hard to write about such a topic when we are approaching a season of fun and cheer. However, this is a topic that has been on my mind a lot this month of December and I’ve decided to share.

First of all, let me wish you all a big welcome! I know it’s been a while and I’m happy to be back after an eventful second half of the year.

I want to thank everyone who has knowingly and unknowingly given me a new perspective on the topic.

I hope you enjoy the podcast and feel free to like, leave a comment and share about your faith experiences. I have put all the references and major points below.

This post is centered around John the baptist and what happened to him when he was imprisoned. This Man they called the Baptist had a strong conviction of who Jesus is. Fast forward to a few months, maybe years later, John is thrown into prison and from my view, his faith began to shake. He started to doubt Christ and even sent men to ask him, “are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matthew 11:3

The History

Luke 1:41 -When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:13-14 -Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Insight

Matthew 11:6 – Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist…

During Sunday service I was reminded by Pastor Osien Sibanda of the reason why John was in prison and he said:

 “He challenged the value system that was there” 

 He stood up to Herod the Tetrarch concerning his affair with his sister-in-law. He was not only imprisoned, but he was also beheaded.

Jesus said, “Blessed, is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” – Matthew 11:6

I was at first upset on behalf of John that God will let him die in prison. This was until God reminded me of other men who were in similar situations for sticking to their values.

Daniel 3:16-18

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

We should not stay silent

Jesus was also imprisoned and killed because of his confessions. We also face persecution because of our faith and our values. We should not let that silence us.

Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Revelation 12:11 – They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Why we celebrate Jesus

We do not celebrate Christmas. We celebrate Jesus because He came to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. – Isaiah 42:7

 We may not fully know the extent of God’s plan, but we know his desire which is that all men will be saved. That was why he sent his Son.

 As we put up the lights in our homes, we remember we are the light of the world.

As we share our gifts, we should remember we are an extension of his hands.

As we sing and greet one another we remember that our words are to be with grace, seasoned with salt.

Salt is able to preserve because it also kills bacteria. We should be ready to stand up for what is right in spite of the outcomes bearing in our hearts that it is to the Glory of God the Father through Jesus Christ his son. We do this also knowing that God will never leave us. Our reward is eternal.

 Amen!

SHALOM!