Banner 2012 07

The first session on this Wednesday morning was Matthew Brennan's second message on John the Baptist. He suggested again that there are about 19 portraits or cameos of John in the New Testament. Having done two yesterday under the heading of John's view of Jesus he looked at another two today being on John's view of Jesus. He spoke of

3. John's perplexity

It is probably best to speak of John's perplexity rather than his doubts over Messiah. Campbell Morgan actually speaks of the "continuation of his courage". We too are often perplexed even though we may not know it at times. In our perplexities it is important that we do what John did and bring our perplexities to Jesus to have them resolved. When we do so there will be an answer. He does it in various ways. Notice, however, that in the answer there is nothing new.

4. Jesus's assessment of John

Without at all over simplifying he stressed that John truly was great and yet our privileges are greater. It is striking he said that though John rarely even met Jesus yet whereas John the Apostle is mentioned 38 times John the Baptist is mentioned 91 times (why then does James Stalker spend twice as much time on John the Apostle as on the Baptist in his book on the two?).

Very encouraging then.