“Between The Messianic Expectation And Doubt!”(Jn.1:19-28).
Holy Spirit, in this new day, fill my heart with joy to declare the wonders of theLORD!
Back in the days of the vast Mungo Presbytery covering all the francophone provinces, there were just nine PCC pastors administering to the Christians. Bertoua was a promising upcoming congregation. The nine pastors used to take turns to go to Bertoua. These pastors were stationed at Dschang, Bafoussam, Nkongsamba, Mbanga, Bonaberi, Bonamoussadi, Etoug-ebe, Bastos, and Garoua.
One month, it was the turn of Rev Efange Gustav of blessed memory to go to Bertoua. The chairman of Bertoua congregation was waiting for the Rev at the park. He did not know the Reverend, and the Rev did not know him. The Chairman went to the park with his wife’s CWF wrapper. When the bus arrived, he tied the wrapper on his head. As soon as the Reverend gentleman saw the wrapper, he knew who to meet.
At airports, you meet with pickup drivers holding a paper with your name on it, and it becomes easy to know who is waiting for you in a place you are arriving for the first time.
The Jews – especially the Sanhedrin – harboured the Messianic Expectation, but it was difficult to identify the Messiah upon his arrival.
Malachi had prophesied, “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes”(Mal.4:5).
Meanwhile, Moses had long said, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him”(Dt.18:15).
The Jews of the Messianic hope had these prophecies in mind. When they heard the exploits of John the Baptist – an unauthorised religious teacher – they sent priests and Levites to find out from John who he was.
John “confessed freely, ‘I am not the Christ.'” Basing on the prophecy of Malachi, they sought to know if he was Elijah, to which he denied. Basing on Moses, they asked whether he was the prophet. He still answered, ‘No.’
I’m sure they were frustrated when they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
They wanted his identity so as to be certain that he was a fulfilment of their Messianic Expectation. Their questions were based on OT prophecies. John answered them by also citing an OT prophecy: “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.”(cf.Is.40:3).
Further questioning about why he was baptising led him to tell that he is baptizing with water, “But among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me…”
Some lessons gleaned:
- John’s first response, “I am not the Christ” is a stark contrast to Jesus’ constant use of “I am” for which he was accused of blasphemy since “I Am” is the sacred name of God that he told Moses in the burning bush.
- When John was asked, “What do you say about yourself, he did not go into a long narrative of his achievements. His CV was from a prophecy; not from achievement. This is a lesson that we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be “dressed in borrowed robes.”
- Christ stands among us always, but we hardly know him.
- Lastly, be honest to yourself and accept your worth and never exaggerate your importance. Do not claim another person’s glory.
We are witnesses for Jesus Christ. We are not his replacement! Let us continue to testify to him and bring lost souls into the fold.
A constant reminder of “Why did he come?” enables us to constantly adjust our lives to align with the reason for his coming.
Weekend prayer: Humble me, Lord, and let me do your will. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you! Merry Christmas and a fulfilling New Year!
Rev Babila Fochang.
10/01/2025.