Encountering Jesus Week Seven: “Wounds from Obedience”

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Soon a man is coming who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before I did.’ 31 I didn’t know he was the one, but I have been baptizing with water in order to point him out to Israel.” – John 1:29-31

A wound starts to develop… from obedience 

(1) Wounds from obedience allow me to clarify my faith in Jesus. 

18 The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, 19 and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” 20 John’s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?'” 21 At that very time, he cured many people of their various diseases, and he cast out evil spirits and restored sight to the blind. 22 Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard — the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 23 And tell him, ‘God blesses those who are not offended by me. ‘” – Luke 7:18-23

(2) Wounds from obedience allow me to clarify who I am to Jesus. 

24 After they left, Jesus talked to the crowd about John. “Who is this man in the wilderness that you went out to see? Did you find him weak as a reed, moved by every breath of wind? 25 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces, not in the wilderness. 26 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 27 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger before you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John.      – Luke 7:24-28

(3) Wounds from obedience allow me to clarify my course for Jesus.

5 Herod would have executed John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. 6 But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, 7 so he promised with an oath to give her anything she wanted. 8 At her mother’s urging, the girl asked, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” 9 The king was sorry, but because of his oath and because he didn’t want to back down in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. 10 So John was beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they told Jesus what had happened. 13 As soon as Jesus heard the news, he went off by himself in a boat to a remote area to be alone. – Matthew 14:5-13

(4) Jesus heals our wounds and leaves us with a scar, which is our story to tell.