Breakthrough for Believers – Part 5: Why Jesus walked Away From John the Baptist

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In this 5th part of the Breakthrough for Believers series, consider this teaching from John the Baptist’s life. May it bring exponential growth and recovery to your life today!

For the previous four parts, please head to Breakthrough for Believers series.

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. (Mat. 4:12)

John the Baptist is the man who went ahead of Jesus and declared the coming of the Messiah. John also baptized Jesus. When Jesus came out of the water, heaven opened and John saw the Holy Spirit coming like a dove coming upon Jesus. John heard the Voice declare, “This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well-pleased” (Mat. 3:17).

Who is this John? John witnessed history, made history, introduced history, a mighty anointed Man of God. Yet a king who ruled in those days, caught John, threw him into prison, with fatal consequence.

At a time, when you might think Jesus would send a few angels to bust John out of prison, instead, Jesus withdrew from that place. This is troubling. We do not want Jesus to withdraw from us but to draw near to us.

To learn why, we need to study John further.

John came in the spirit of Elijah, a child heralded by angels, conceived by aged parents, who then spent much of his adult life in the desert, consumed by the Lord and his call. He baptized the nation of Israel and foretold Christ Jesus.

Yet John, this anointed witness, suffered limitation.

Once in prison, John began doubting Jesus. This same man, who had seen heaven open above Jesus, who watched the dove come down with his physical eyes, sent his disciples to Jesus, asking, “Are you the One who is to come or shall we look for another?”(Mat 11:3).

Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.” (Mat. 11:4-5) Then Jesus added, “And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Mat. 11:6).

Here was a mighty man of God allowing himself to be offended because of the limited understanding of God’s will.

Now, John was highly respected. His fame was certain, for from Israelite to Roman soldier, his name was known at that time. Yet in prison, doubts steadily crept into his heart. The one ordained to announce Christ’s arrival, then doubted Jesus as the Messiah.

John was affected by his location. When there is a limitation in our life for an extended period of time, the enemy will use this circumstance to distort perspective and deceive your spirit. If you are too long in a certain location or limitation, not fruitful, no longer ministering, like John, you may begin to doubt yourself or question the people God has sent to your life. This is a dangerous deception; the enemy will take your head if he sees you have forgotten who you are.

Every person who receives from Jesus must believe in His capacity. Those who do not receive from Jesus are those who doubt Him.

People expect Jesus to help just because He is Jesus, yet God is only committed to you at the level by which you are committed to Him.

Beloved, Jesus walked away from one of his own commanders; He could only help those who believed in Him. When John stopped believing in Jesus, his head was quickly removed by a wicked king.

Like John, the enemy wants us to stop believing in the full capacity of Jesus in on our generation. How much we can receive from Jesus will completely depend on what we believe Jesus is capable of today.

God is raising a generation, that no matter how great the chains may be, our limitations are NOT a sign of God’s limitation.

When we look to John, baptizer of the Christ, we must ask, how could unbelief have entered his heart?

When doubt or confusion is entertained in your heart, these lies can stop the work of Christ in your life. When you doubt His goodness, or His capability in your life, you limit the work of an unlimited God. When you grumble, and complain, you will lose your perspective of God’s Greatness; this door opens wide to the enemy.

God is waiting for you to know who He is so He can show Himself strong on your behalf.

Let songs of praise arise as you celebrate our LIMITLESS GOD!

Beloved, be a diligent student and learn from John:

When the enemy brings hardship into your life to make you doubt your God, do not fall into this trap!

Ask the Lord to forgive you for every time you have doubted His goodness.

Take authority over every doubt and lie the enemy has sown in your mind today.

Like the father longed for his prodigal to return, so the Lord longs for our return, as we choose faith over fear, and live believing fully in our God.

Strengthen your heart and declare, “Lord I believe!”

As you change your heart, watch the Lord manifest the Kingdom of God in your life!

Make up your mind today to remain rooted in the deep love of God and may heavens open over you today!