Tuesday, July 5th, 2022
There was no profuse sadness on Jesus’ part when he found out from John’s disciples that King Herod had him killed in prison. No rending of His garments, denouncing Herod, or declarations that John had died before his time. You see, John the Baptist had to die. It was his time.
John’s job of announcing the coming of the Messiah was done. He was a light before Jesus, but his light had to be extinguished because there could only be one light – Jesus Christ. There could be no other possible lights. John knew this as well when he said, “He must become greater, I must become less.” There’s no better way to become less than to die.
That John’s disciples had come to inform Jesus of his death highlighted another problem. There couldn’t be any confusion as to whom to follow. There couldn’t be “another choice.” Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” There couldn’t be a competing way, another road to take, another person to follow, another set of disciples.
If John hadn’t died when he did, there would be conspiracy theories today that he was really the Messiah and Jesus was an imposter. God cut off that chance when John had his head cut off.
Next week we’ll find out why Jesus’ stepfather, Joseph, had to die.