The Lord's Witness of John the Baptist — Stephen Kaung

Jesus' Witness to John in John 5

Please turn to the gospel according to John. John chapter 5 read from verse 33. John chapter 5 verse 33 34 and verse 35. We have sent unto John and he has borne witness to the truth. But I do not receive Witness from man, but I say this that ye might be saved.

He was a burning and shining lamp and you were waiting for a season to rejoice. In his life the gospel according to Matthew chapter 11 verse 1 verse 2. Matthew chapter 11 verse 2, but John having heard in the prison the works of the Christ Sent by his disciples and said to him.

Are thou the coming one or are we to wait for another? Jesus answering said to them go report to John what you hear and see. Blind men see and lame walk. Lepers are clean and deaf ears and dead are raised and poor have glad tidings preached to them and Blessed is whosoever shall not be offended in me.

But as they went away Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John. What when he out into the wilderness to see a reed move about by the wind. But what when he out to see a man clothed in delicate raiment.

Behold those who wear delicate things are in the houses of Kings. But what when he out to see a prophet? Yea, I say to you and more than a prophet this is he of whom it is written. Behold I send my messenger before thy face who shall prepare thy way before thee.

Verily I say to you that there is not a reason among the born of women a greater than John the Baptist. But he who is of a little one in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he. But from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence and the violence.

Sees on it for all the prophets and the law have prophesied unto John and if you will receive it. This is Elias who is to come he that has ears to hear let him hear. But to whom shall I liken this generation?

It is like children sitting in a market which calling to their companions said we have piped to you and ye have not danced. We have mourned to you and ye have not will for John has come neither eating nor drinking and they say he has a demon.

The son of man has come eating and drinking and They said behold a man that is eating and wine-drinking a friend of pet Gatherers and of sinners and wisdom has been justified by her children. May we look to the Lord our father.

We do praise and thank thee for the privilege of Being gathered together unto thy son our Lord Jesus Christ. Or how we do praise and thank thee knowing that thou art here with us. And our whole desire is that we may hear from thee.

Thou may speak to us through thy word by thy Holy Spirit. We do ask thee O Lord that I will quicken thy word to our hearts that we may see what thou does desire us to see and Hear what thou does desire us to hear and be what thou does desires us To be and to be the order praise and glory in thy precious name.

Amen, we have been considering together The life of John the Baptist and we believe that in this life We may see something that God is looking for among his people today. John is an epic making vessel and the Lord is looking for a corporate effort making vessel.

John Gave a very full and perfect complete Testimony unto the Lord and This is I believe What God is expecting his people to do today now this evening we will like to do something different and that is John bore witness Unto the Lord and then in return we find the Lord or a witness for John and That is what we will like to consider this evening.

The Lord's Approval of His Servants

You know, it is very important that we have a good testimony That is to say that we really be faithful witness of the Lord so then on the other hand there is another thing which is of tremendous importance and That is whether the Lord Will dare a Good witness concerning us.

You remember in Matthew chapter 17 There will be people who will come to the Lord and say Lord Lord We have preached in your name. We have cast out demons in your name we have do things in your name and Yet the Lord said I do not know you and of course, we know the word.

I do not know you Means I do not approve Of how important it is That our life on this earth May result in that which the Lord himself Will put his seal on it and said I am satisfied just like the servants one with five talents Came back and said Lord.

You gave me five talents and Here I trade with the five talents and I have doubled it and the Lord said good and faithful servant. You are faithful in small things and I don't trust you with more. Come enter into the joy of your Lord and the same thing happened to the one with two talents.

But with a person of one talent, it's a different story and the Lord said you are wicked and lazy. So I think it is very important for us to know whether the Lord Will bear with whether our lives on earth will be recommended and approved by him and As you look into the book of Hebrews for instance Hebrews chapter 11 you have a whole list of people these men and women of faith.

And how in their life They had witnesses born to them by God That they had been faithful. They had pleased God and they were approved By the Lord and these will be the people that will be found in the kingdom When the kingdom shall come so here you'll find John the Baptist.

Not only he did such a good witness for the Lord. But then you return. You'll find how the Lord bore witness of him in John chapter 4 you'll find when the Lord Jesus heard that the Pharisees Began to know notice that More people were baptized by him than by John the Baptist.

Actually, he did not baptize himself. His disciples did a baptism, but when our Lord Jesus heard about that The Bible say he retreated. He left Judea and go to Galilee. Now even though in chapter 3 you find that John testifies That I'm not a bridegroom.

I'm the friend of the bridegroom and It is the bridegroom that has the bride and when I hear the voice of the bridegroom I rejoice. He must increase and I must decrease. In other words you'll find with John the Baptist there was no jealousy whatsoever.

He knew what he came for. He wanted to people to to to go and follow the Lord he would rather be decreased and Let the Lord be increased. There was no jealousy at all, but you know We are human. And how Satan can try to?

Put a wedge as it were and try to divide and try to tempt us even though John say so clearly yet when the Lord heard about that he left Judea and Retreated to Galilee. Of course. He did not want to be in conflict with John.

Their words actually were complimentary. And he wouldn't even given the enemy any chance To put a wedge as it were between him and John. They were so much in one That there was no controversy. There was no jealousy.

Professional jealousy if you if you please there was absolutely nothing of that kind. John would do it this way and our Lord would do it the other way and how you find they Work together and it's beautiful when you notice it.

But then in chapter 5 you'll find when the time of the feast came the Lord came back to Judea and Probably by that time John the Baptist was already in prison was put in prison because King Herod Sees him Put him in prison because King Herod married Herodian and John said that was not right.

But anyway, you'll find when our Lord Jesus came back to Judea. Then in chapter 5 he mentioned John. John was in prison set aside. There was no more competition. But it was not that The Lord began to speak kindly.

He said you go out to John and you seem to love His light for a season, but I tell you John is a burning Shining now, that is the first Testimony that our Lord Jesus did Concerning John the Baptist. In other words, it was the Lord's estimate of John the Baptist.

John the Baptist was a burning and shining lamp. I believe when the Lord Jesus said this he must have the temple in his mind. Because you know the temple in the outer court. There was no cover above. So in the outer court you'll find the sun shone directly into the outer court.

But when you enter into the holy place The holy place was completely covered. There was no light of the sun and in the holy place There was the golden lamp and it was by the light of the golden lamp stand.

That the priests were able to serve in the holy place because without light You can't do nothing. But then in the holiest of all there was no sunlight. There was no lamplight in one sense. It was pitch dark because there was no sunlight.

There was no lamplight. There was no artificial light nor natural light. But the holiest of all is full of light. What. Because the Shekinah glory of the Lord was there the glory of the Lord was there.

The Lord was the light in the holy holiest of all. So I believe that when when our Lord Jesus mentioned such things he probably had that in view. John was a shining and burning lamp. He was as a lamp in the holy place.

And of course there was light coming out on the left. But there is a light that is Far greater than the light of a lamp. It is the Shekinah Glory, so even in John chapter 1 you'll find There was a man who was sent by God.

But he was not the light. He bears witness to the light. The light is Christ himself. In him was light and the light was the light of man. Our Lord Jesus is the light the light of life the glory of God the Shekinah glory of God.

But John was a lamp. And the purpose of that lamp is To lead people by that light of the lamp to the true light. It is as if this is Tonight it was dark. And you need a lamp to guide yourself. Until you get out of the night and enter into the broad daylight full of light and when that day Comes you don't need a lamp at all.

John was a burning and Now in one sense, this is what we ought to be all like lamp and of course a lamp. At that time Lit you have to have oil in the lamp. And then when you light it, then it will give a light.

So in other words, you'll find that we are as lamps and within us is the oil. The oil of course is the Holy Spirit. If we have we are full of the Holy Spirit, then we would be a burning and shining lamp.

But if we are not filled with the Holy Spirit, well our life may be going out. Just like the five foolish virgins. You remember the ten virgins that went out to meet the Lord and they all have lamps and In a sense that represents them, you know.

But the five wives had extra oil. They can pour the oil into the lamp. The lamp is full of oil. Therefore is burning and shining lamp. But the five foolish they have just a little bit of oil and it is Not it is not bright shining and burning.

We are not the light. We are the lamp. Our purpose is to give Enough light to guide people to the true light. This is what we ought to be. And the law said a city that is built on the hill cannot be hit.

You do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel. But you put a lamp on the lampstand. Then the light will shine over the whole house. So let your light shine. That the world may see your upright life and they may glorify the Father who is in heaven.

We are lamps, but you do not put a lamp under the bushel. The bushel in the old days is To measure wheat or barley. In other words We have Christ in us. We have the spirit of life in us and we ought to shine for Christ.

We ought to let people see Christ and lead people to him. This is what we are. But if we put the lamp under the bushel. That is to say if our whole life is just completely Occupied With the cares of this life, with the anxieties and the cares of this life.

It is as if we put the lamp under the bushel. And the result is the lamp is not able to fulfill its function. Because under the bushel is all covered. And how many of God's people today are like lamps under the bushel?

And then in another place we are told that you do not like a lamp and Put under the couch. The couch is a place where you relax and rest. It speaks of comfort and ease. In other words We can so seek for the comfort and ease of this life.

Now some people may be so occupied with the cares and anxieties of this life. Worrying all the time what I should eat and what I should drink and what I should be close with and so forth. You know, and we may be just completely involved with that.

So the light is being hidden. But other people may just go to the other direction. They are not concerned with the cares of life, but they are more concerned with how can we have a comfortable life and live an Easy life even a luxurious life and enjoy enjoy life, you know.

It is just like you put a lamp under a couch. And if you do that the light Is being hidden and you're not able to be a burning and shining lamp. A lamp should be put on a lampstand. And we all know what a lampstand is.

In revelation, we know that the seven lampstands represent the seven churches. In other words, we are lamps and if We are put on a lampstand Then we will have the fullest of our functions fulfilled. On the one hand we need oil.

Individually speaking how we need oil how we need to be filled with the holy spirit. That is to say our life be controlled Ruled by the holy spirit. Because you know Ephesians chapter 5 Do not be drunk.

But be filled with the holy spirit. And be filled with the holy spirit there means be ruled by the holy spirit. If you're filled with the holy spirit your life is ruled controlled By the holy spirit. And if our life is controlled by by the holy spirit Then we have lots of oil waiting us and we will be a burning and shining lamp.

We will giving out a good testimony for the lord. But there is another side. There is a copper sign and the copper sign is. We as lambs should be on the lampstand. You remember the lampstand with seven lamps?

And here you'll find how we need to be on a lampstand. Now if we really see that our place is in the church. It is not just as an individual lamp. But we as lambs should be on the lampstand and there as we Find ourselves in the place Where god wants us to be then the light will shine far and wide.

And we will be a bright and shining. So this is the first thing that we find our lord jesus bore witness for john. He said john was a burning and shining lamp in a sense. He burned himself up can our lord Bear the text fame on the lampstand.

We where we ought to be the lord said this concern. Now, this is the first thing that we find our lord gave witness to john the baptist then secondly In chapter 11 of matthew You'll find that john was in prison.

I wonder whether this was approaching the time Of his martyrdom. Probably john had a premonition. That his days would not be long, you know, the public ministry of john the baptist was very short. Very short probably his public ministry Is a little over six months and certainly not Above a year.

Now think of that he was 30 he came out. And our lord jesus was six months younger than john the baptist. So when the lord was 30 years old he came. You know and he was baptized and then not very long after that john was put in prison.

So the whole public ministry of john the baptist was less than a year. But within a year what a work had been done he really had prepared a way of the lord. All the early disciples of our lord jesus were disciples of john he prepared a people for the lord.

And now he was in prison we do not know for how long and probably he had a premonition that if He did not come out Probably he would die, you know, sometimes people have that kind of feeling. Therefore he sent his disciples to the lord.

And he asked the question are you the coming one. Or are we to wait so this has been a real discussion among god's people. Can a person Who has received such great revelation? And who has given such tremendous witness in such a person.

Come to a place where he began to lose his vision to doubt What he has so faithfully and firmly testified now, is it possible? Now that is one question. The question is the john became diplomatic In the sense that he really wanted the lord to do something.

But he tried not to say it. But tried to go about in in in a very subtle way. Are we to wait for another one? Are you the one in other words to remind the lord? I know you are the one but you ought to do something For me.

Now can it be that he became that kind of subtle, you know, of course it is very difficult for us to say today. Why. Because we have not been in prison if we are in prison. And if we have the same situation as john greatly used by god for a very short period and suddenly we are set aside and we are in prison and probably The end will soon come.

So Who knows what will happen to us? Being human beings It is always possible. John is not infallible. No one is. Even with such a clear vision even Giving such strong testimony. There is always the possibility Of having our vision blurred.

Of having doubts of even it is always possible. So I think on the one hand we need to be. You know, we need to be on the watch. Don't be so sure. And yet on the other hand, it doesn't seem likely to be that way.

I do not believe that John really doubted. And from the answer of our lord jesus, you can see that the lord knew completely. The lord did not say why do you doubt me? No. He didn't say that. No doubt john at that time was very down In his spirit.

He must be very down. I do not believe that he really doubted the lord. He began to ask questions. You find john because he his spirit was low. He began to feel puzzled. I think probably the word puzzle is better.

He he he did not really doubt. To the extent of unbelief now. Having been given such a clear vision. You you cannot doubt to the point of unbelief. But there is always possibility of being puzzled and probably john was just puzzled.

Just puzzled. So he sent his disciples to him and said are you the one? Or should we wait for another one and here you'll find our lord jesus go and tell him What you have seen and heard. In other words john answers questions because he had heard.

His disciples must have reported to him what the lord jesus did. They saw and they heard what the lord jesus did so they went to the prison and passed on the report. And it was the report that really disturbed him.

Why. Because the lord did all these things he could raise the dead he could heal the sick and he could Open the eyes of the blind and he opened the ears of the deaf. Why didn't he do something to me? Problem was the lord did all these things to others, but the lord did not do anything to him.

Now that puzzled him. If the lord should do something to other people and they are so undeserved. Certainly I am much more deserved than all the other people. I have done so much for the lord. And surely I deserve a better treatment, you know, that's the temptation.

But the lord sent the disciples back to him and said just tell him what you have heard and seen. In other words nothing new. The lord did not explain. He did not explain. The lord just said you go back and tell him the same thing.

Because these are signs of messiah. Just tell him the same thing but the lord put in one word Blessed is he. Who is not offended now, that's what it is. In other words john the baptist really was not doubting the messiahship of Jesus.

Attempted to be offended, you know, there is such a thing As being offended when our lord jesus was on earth. Lots of people were offended by him. You remember in john chapter 6 How our lord jesus healed five loaves and two fishes to feed five thousand.

And they wanted to make him king. He scattered them. He crossed the river. And they came around and met him on the other side. And the lord began to speak to them and said i'll do not labor for the food that perishes.

But labor for the food that cannot be perished. And said now what is the work of god? We want to do the work of god. What is the work of god? And the lord said believe on him whom the father has said i'm the bread that is from heaven.

He will eat me and drink me have life. And i'll raise him up in the last day. My my my flesh Is eatable and my and my blood is drinkable. And he who eats and drinks of me lives by me as I live by my father.

And so on and so forth and these people began to say now who can hear this house say. They were offended by the lord. And they left him and you remember even to his end. Of course our lord jesus turned to his own.

The the first disciple 11 12 disciples and said now do you want to go to? Are you offended? And he said oh no. You have the word of life, where can we go? But then as you read on towards the end Of the earthly life of our lord jesus before he he was crucified he told his disciples he said now the time has come.

That the shepherd will be stricken and the sheep were all scattered you will all be offended. And peter said oh no. If other people got offended, I will not be offended. I will die with you. But was peter offended?

They were all offended. They couldn't take it. Oh, sometimes the lord does things Strangely sometimes the lord does things either to himself or to us In ways that we cannot explain. You know, we like to explain things.

If only we can explain it we can take it but if it is something that we cannot explain We feel insecure about it. You know, we we don't want it but the lord Does it sometimes does things very strange to himself.

And to us too and that is where we are tempted to be offended By the lord, you know in galatians chapter 5. We have the scandal of the cross. And the scandal of the cross in some versions says offense of the cross.

We may be offended by the cross. Why should we bear the cross. Why cannot you go to the throne. Bypassing the cross we are offended because the ways of god Are higher than our way. And the thoughts of god Are higher than us.

We'll be offended by the lord when we feel we have every right. When we feel that he should treat us in a certain way. And this certain way is the way that he treats other people. Therefore he must do it to us.

He has an obligation to us. Now if he has never done that to anybody you would not be jealous at all. But if he does it for one brother to one sister. And he does not do the same thing to you. How do you feel?

As we go on with the lord This is a test. A test that will come sooner or later because this is where Our faith In the lord is tested whether we believe in him their faith. Not because of anything else their faith.

Just like just like joe said even if he should slay me i'm still trusting him. Not because he always Satisfies us. Not because he always does things that we want him to do. Not because he always keeps his promise as it were.

Of course, he always does but sometimes he He has a higher thing to do with us. But When we are tested And there is no explanation we will be misunderstood. The lord does not vindicate us. And when we are put in such a situation will you be offended.

Why does not lord the lord deliver. Of course he can but these are the things that puzzles us. For instance in the book of acts you'll find James was beheaded but peter. The angel opened the iron gate.

And let him out. Now, how do you explain that we cannot? And the lord does not explain. He does not explain. He just said trust me. Can you trust me? I think this is a real test a real test. And soon or later you'll get to it, you know, but thank god Because of the word of our lord John was not offended.

We'll see later on how he was not offended. But anyway. With this it seems as if the weakness of john the baptist was exposed. You know, he sent his disciples to come to the lord with all these people there.

Are you the coming one? Are we to wait for another one now? He sent his disciples to come to the lord with all these people there. Are you the coming one? Are we to wait for another one now? John was degraded in a sense before the eyes of the people.

They believed in john as a prophet but now with such a passion. And the way the lord answered that don't be offended in me. Well John fell a thousand feet. People would begin to sigh but here immediately you find the lord came to the rest after the disciples.

John left he began to turn to the people. And how he lifts up john. He said now don't be mistaken. In spite of that fact john was really different. Oh, how he thanked god for that. You know when things happen in this world.

When some brother or some sister, you know in some way exposed some weakness. And we began to see it. Now what will happen to us? Everybody will step on him. In fact, you are finished. That's the human way, but the lord is different.

The Lord Covers Human Weakness

And even with such a witness publicly exposed the lord covered and cover him to such a degree. That you forget the whole thing. And the lord said now don't don't be mistaken. Why. For whom do you go out to the wilderness to see.

Do you go out to see a reed? Blown by the wind. You know the weed is something that is hollow within. And when the wing blow one way it just follows the wing and the wing Changed the course and it changed the course.

In other words. There is no backbone. There is no principle. It is just swept by Circumstance and environment. A person a weekly a weekly. Do you think john is a weekly? Because he asked us a question.

It appears like it. But the lord said no he is not. He is not a reed. Blown by the wind. John is a man of principle. John is a man with backbone. John is a strong person. In god and it is because of that he was cast into prison.

But He was not a weakling at all. Oh, how we thank god, you know in our lives in every one of our lives. There will be sometimes. Some weakness shows that we are human for thank god. He does not despise us.

Instead he covers us with love. He knows more than what we appear to be. He knows what his grace has already done in our lives. And he goes by that he does not go by how it appears. And then the lord said Do you go out to see a man with soft raiment a person who seeks for luxury for ease of life?

Comfort. Enjoyment of life. No, this is not john. You'll find these people in the palace, but john. No, he is not that kind of person. He does not seek for any comfort or ease of life. He live a very hard life.

Yes, but he's not seeking for anything easier. He's not like that. Now can the law say that to us too and do you go out to the wilderness to see now? That's what the people Accepted john as a prophet you know.

And now their their aspect of john was changing, you know, they they began to feel that whether he he was really a prophet. So the law said yes. You go out to the wilderness to see a prophet the mouthpiece of god Spokesman of god.

Yes. He delivered a message from god. He is a prophet, but the law said he is greater. Oh how the lord does. Lift him up. He is greater than a prophet. Why. Because he is the one. As it is written to prepare the way of all the prophets of the old testament.

John is the great you know why? Because he is closely related to the coming of the lord, you know in this world you measure greatness either by wealth by position by education. By influence you measure greatness by these things now in the christian world.

How do you measure greatness? Oh probably we'll measure greatness by how successful you are in in christian work. You know. And things like that. How many miracles have you done? And yet the bible said john had never done a miracle.

Isn't that strange? In the gospel according john chapter, I think it's chapter 11. It says john has never done a miracle. But whatever he says of christ is true and because of that many believe in christ.

Now that is where his greatness is, you know, even the concept of greatness in the christian world Is so so different from from god's concept. John is greater than a prophet. But he had never done a miracle.

But whatever he says concerning christ is true. And many believe in christ because of him. Now that is where his greatness is. Dear brothers and sisters in the sight of god who is the greater? He is the one Who contributes most to christ.

He is the greater among you. Who is the least. He who serves Is the greater one. In other words you will find god's concept of greatness entirely different. And the lord said There is none born of women greater than john the baptist.

Now, how can you put? The greatness of person beyond this description. There is no one born of women Greater than john the baptist. Oh, he is next to how our lord. Jesus bore witness for john. And then the lord said the littlest one in the kingdom of the heaven Is greater Than he.

How did you explain that? John the baptist is the greatest ever born of women. And yet the smallest in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than john. Does it mean that john? has no part In the kingdom of the heaven.

Now certainly we need to understand what the lord is trying to impress upon us. That the lord is trying to impress upon us is the greatest on earth Cannot be compared with the smallest in heaven. Not that john has no part in the kingdom.

It doesn't mean that you take john the baptist on earth. And compare him with the smallest in the kingdom of heaven. The smallest in the kingdom of heaven is greater than him. So what a privilege it is that we be in the kingdom of the heaven.

John the baptist Is the one who introduces? The kingdom of the heaven. Repent for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn. I Know. But we who believe in the lord jesus We become his kingdom. We are in the reality of the kingdom of the heavens today.

And this is greater than john the baptist. Because historically speaking he was a herald of the kingdom of heaven. But we are in the kingdom of heaven. And our privilege is much higher than john the baptist, but of course Eventually ultimately We know that in the kingdom Abraham, isaac jacob will all be there sitting at the table and certainly john the baptist will be there.

So because of that the lord turns the thing and said now the kingdom of the heaven Is to take be taken by violence and a violent scene. The law and the prophet. Come to john the baptist. And since the time of john the baptist the kingdom of the heavens is to be taken by force and the forceful John the baptist Is an abracadabra?

The law and the prophet came to john the baptist and ended in him. He was the last prophet of the old testament last. The law and the prophet was concluded in him. And he was the first one who introduced the kingdom of the heaven because he introduced the king.

Therefore from the time of john the baptist until now that. Until the time when our lord jesus spoke these words. He said the kingdom of the heaven is to be taken by violence and a violent scene. John the baptist they retained for the kingdom of heaven has drawn.

Now the lord said the kingdom of heaven is now here, but how are you going to take it? You have to take it by violence. Of course, we Connect the word violence with a bad connotation today. We do not like to hear the word violence or violent.

Because it is bad. But actually the word itself just means force. You know in other words The law said if you want to get into the kingdom of the heavens in reality. To live in the kingdom of the heavens and to be the king of the heavens in spiritual reality.

It is not something that you just drift in. It is something you have to press By force and the due violence here is not due violence to other people. The due violence here is to do violence to yourself.

That is to say deny yourself. Take up your cross and follow that if we do not deny ourselves. Well deny oneself is doing violence, you know. Or how we love ourselves. How we try to nourish ourselves cherish ourselves take care of ourselves.