Faithful to Your Calling
Matthew 11:1–18
Matthew 3:13–17
As I was reading today, I found myself thinking about the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist.
They were cousins, and I wonder how close they were growing up. Did John always know Jesus was the promised Messiah, or did that revelation come later?
When John preached in the wilderness, he declared:
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Matthew 3:11
It almost seems as though John knew the Messiah was coming, but not exactly who He was until the day Jesus stepped into the Jordan River. At His baptism, something changed. John immediately recognised Jesus’ authority and humbly replied,
“I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
Then God Himself confirmed Jesus’ identity as the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and the Father’s voice declared,
“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
From that moment, Jesus began His public ministry.
Yet sometime later, everything seemed different.
John was sitting in prison. The man who had boldly proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” now sent his disciples to ask Jesus,
“Are You the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Matthew 11:3
At first glance, it almost seems like John was doubting.
Perhaps prison had become a place of wrestling. John had preached that the Messiah would bring both salvation and judgment, yet while Jesus was healing the sick, preaching the gospel, and showing mercy, Rome still ruled and John remained behind bars. Things were not unfolding the way many expected.
The Jewish people were waiting for a conquering King who would overthrow Rome and restore Israel’s kingdom. Instead, Jesus came first as the suffering Servant, bringing forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation with God.
What amazes me most is Jesus’ response.
He wasn’t offended by John’s question.
He didn’t criticise him or question his calling.
Instead, He pointed to the evidence.
“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them.”
Matthew 11:4–5
Jesus didn’t defend Himself with arguments. He simply pointed to the fruit of His ministry. The evidence of God’s hand spoke louder than any accusation or misunderstanding ever could.
Then Jesus turned to the crowd and honoured John, declaring that among those born of women there had arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.
That challenged me.
How often do we feel the need to defend our calling when others question it?
People may look at our lives, our ministry, or the way God is using us and ask, “Are you really called?” Sometimes they don’t ask with words, but with raised eyebrows, criticism, or comparison.
We often think being called should look a certain way.
But God has never worked from a single formula.
John ministered in the wilderness dressed in camel’s hair.
Jesus spent time eating with sinners and tax collectors.
Peter preached boldly to crowds.
Paul reasoned with philosophers.
Each one was called by the same God, yet each served differently.
Even throughout church history we see this. Smith Wigglesworth often ministered in ways that many people found unusual or even outrageous. While not everything someone does should automatically become our pattern, God clearly used him in remarkable ways. His ministry reminds us that God is not limited to our expectations or traditions. He delights in using different personalities, different gifts, and different methods to accomplish His purposes.
God never asks us to imitate someone else’s calling.
He asks us to faithfully fulfil our own.
The proof of our calling is not found in winning arguments or gaining everyone’s approval. It is revealed through obedience, faithfulness, transformed lives, and the fruit God produces over time.
Our responsibility is not to prove people wrong.
Our responsibility is to remain faithful until God proves Himself through us.
Paul’s instruction to Archippus is just as relevant today:
“See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
Colossians 4:17
What God has called you to may not look like what He has called someone else to do.
Your personality may be different.
Your gifts may be different.
Your methods may be different.
But different does not mean disqualified.
God is faithful to confirm what He has truly ordained.
So don’t spend your life trying to become someone else.
Simply be faithful to the ministry the Lord has entrusted to you, and allow Him to produce the fruit in His perfect time.
Matthew 11:1–18
Matthew 3:13–17
As I was reading today, I found myself thinking about the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist.
They were cousins, and I wonder how close they were growing up. Did John always know Jesus was the promised Messiah, or did that revelation come later?
When John preached in the wilderness, he declared:
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Matthew 3:11
It almost seems as though John knew the Messiah was coming, but not exactly who He was until the day Jesus stepped into the Jordan River. At His baptism, something changed. John immediately recognised Jesus’ authority and humbly replied,
“I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
Then God Himself confirmed Jesus’ identity as the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and the Father’s voice declared,
“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
From that moment, Jesus began His public ministry.
Yet sometime later, everything seemed different.
John was sitting in prison. The man who had boldly proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” now sent his disciples to ask Jesus,
“Are You the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Matthew 11:3
At first glance, it almost seems like John was doubting.
Perhaps prison had become a place of wrestling. John had preached that the Messiah would bring both salvation and judgment, yet while Jesus was healing the sick, preaching the gospel, and showing mercy, Rome still ruled and John remained behind bars. Things were not unfolding the way many expected.
The Jewish people were waiting for a conquering King who would overthrow Rome and restore Israel’s kingdom. Instead, Jesus came first as the suffering Servant, bringing forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation with God.
What amazes me most is Jesus’ response.
He wasn’t offended by John’s question.
He didn’t criticise him or question his calling.
Instead, He pointed to the evidence.
“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them.”
Matthew 11:4–5
Jesus didn’t defend Himself with arguments. He simply pointed to the fruit of His ministry. The evidence of God’s hand spoke louder than any accusation or misunderstanding ever could.
Then Jesus turned to the crowd and honoured John, declaring that among those born of women there had arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.
That challenged me.
How often do we feel the need to defend our calling when others question it?
People may look at our lives, our ministry, or the way God is using us and ask, “Are you really called?” Sometimes they don’t ask with words, but with raised eyebrows, criticism, or comparison.
We often think being called should look a certain way.
But God has never worked from a single formula.
John ministered in the wilderness dressed in camel’s hair.
Jesus spent time eating with sinners and tax collectors.
Peter preached boldly to crowds.
Paul reasoned with philosophers.
Each one was called by the same God, yet each served differently.
Even throughout church history we see this. Smith Wigglesworth often ministered in ways that many people found unusual or even outrageous. While not everything someone does should automatically become our pattern, God clearly used him in remarkable ways. His ministry reminds us that God is not limited to our expectations or traditions. He delights in using different personalities, different gifts, and different methods to accomplish His purposes.
God never asks us to imitate someone else’s calling.
He asks us to faithfully fulfil our own.
The proof of our calling is not found in winning arguments or gaining everyone’s approval. It is revealed through obedience, faithfulness, transformed lives, and the fruit God produces over time.
Our responsibility is not to prove people wrong.
Our responsibility is to remain faithful until God proves Himself through us.
Paul’s instruction to Archippus is just as relevant today:
“See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
Colossians 4:17
What God has called you to may not look like what He has called someone else to do.
Your personality may be different.
Your gifts may be different.
Your methods may be different.
But different does not mean disqualified.
God is faithful to confirm what He has truly ordained.
So don’t spend your life trying to become someone else.
Simply be faithful to the ministry the Lord has entrusted to you, and allow Him to produce the fruit in His perfect time.
Faithful to Your Calling
Matthew 11:1–18
Matthew 3:13–17
As I was reading today, I found myself thinking about the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist.
They were cousins, and I wonder how close they were growing up. Did John always know Jesus was the promised Messiah, or did that revelation come later?
When John preached in the wilderness, he declared:
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Matthew 3:11
It almost seems as though John knew the Messiah was coming, but not exactly who He was until the day Jesus stepped into the Jordan River. At His baptism, something changed. John immediately recognised Jesus’ authority and humbly replied,
“I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
Then God Himself confirmed Jesus’ identity as the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and the Father’s voice declared,
“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
From that moment, Jesus began His public ministry.
Yet sometime later, everything seemed different.
John was sitting in prison. The man who had boldly proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” now sent his disciples to ask Jesus,
“Are You the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Matthew 11:3
At first glance, it almost seems like John was doubting.
Perhaps prison had become a place of wrestling. John had preached that the Messiah would bring both salvation and judgment, yet while Jesus was healing the sick, preaching the gospel, and showing mercy, Rome still ruled and John remained behind bars. Things were not unfolding the way many expected.
The Jewish people were waiting for a conquering King who would overthrow Rome and restore Israel’s kingdom. Instead, Jesus came first as the suffering Servant, bringing forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation with God.
What amazes me most is Jesus’ response.
He wasn’t offended by John’s question.
He didn’t criticise him or question his calling.
Instead, He pointed to the evidence.
“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them.”
Matthew 11:4–5
Jesus didn’t defend Himself with arguments. He simply pointed to the fruit of His ministry. The evidence of God’s hand spoke louder than any accusation or misunderstanding ever could.
Then Jesus turned to the crowd and honoured John, declaring that among those born of women there had arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.
That challenged me.
How often do we feel the need to defend our calling when others question it?
People may look at our lives, our ministry, or the way God is using us and ask, “Are you really called?” Sometimes they don’t ask with words, but with raised eyebrows, criticism, or comparison.
We often think being called should look a certain way.
But God has never worked from a single formula.
John ministered in the wilderness dressed in camel’s hair.
Jesus spent time eating with sinners and tax collectors.
Peter preached boldly to crowds.
Paul reasoned with philosophers.
Each one was called by the same God, yet each served differently.
Even throughout church history we see this. Smith Wigglesworth often ministered in ways that many people found unusual or even outrageous. While not everything someone does should automatically become our pattern, God clearly used him in remarkable ways. His ministry reminds us that God is not limited to our expectations or traditions. He delights in using different personalities, different gifts, and different methods to accomplish His purposes.
God never asks us to imitate someone else’s calling.
He asks us to faithfully fulfil our own.
The proof of our calling is not found in winning arguments or gaining everyone’s approval. It is revealed through obedience, faithfulness, transformed lives, and the fruit God produces over time.
Our responsibility is not to prove people wrong.
Our responsibility is to remain faithful until God proves Himself through us.
Paul’s instruction to Archippus is just as relevant today:
“See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
Colossians 4:17
What God has called you to may not look like what He has called someone else to do.
Your personality may be different.
Your gifts may be different.
Your methods may be different.
But different does not mean disqualified.
God is faithful to confirm what He has truly ordained.
So don’t spend your life trying to become someone else.
Simply be faithful to the ministry the Lord has entrusted to you, and allow Him to produce the fruit in His perfect time.
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