After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
Mark 1:14 NIV
Back to Mark 1, we can see that a space of time passed between verses 13 and 14. After, John was arrested and put in prison. This makes us understand that it takes courage to follow Jesus. Not just a silent follower, but a follower who is bold enough to stand for and proclaim the message. John’s purpose was to be the forerunner of Jesus and he did this well. He was a spokesperson for the Gospel of Christ. However, he did not end up where he would have thought. Sometimes when you serve God, your life does not end up where you think. We see that of a lot of persons in the bible. However, they stood for the Lord.
And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,
Hebrews 11:32-39 NKJV
These men although they did not receive the promise, some of whom died, they courageously followed the Lord. Some were blessed and loved but they stood. This means following Jesus can bring blessing or hatred. Following Jesus takes resilience. It takes bravery. It takes courage. When you follow Jesus there will be some who will love you for it and there will be some who will not. You will be understood and misunderstood. But stay faithful. Be strong. It doesn’t matter what people say to you or do to you because of your love for Jesus. Regardless of where your faith in God takes you. Whether your faith takes you to the mountaintop or into the valley. Even if it causes people to love you or hate you, bless you or hurt you remember you are following Jesus and He does not fail.
In addition, God’s message always has representatives. The moment John was no longer on the scene as a preacher of the message, Jesus began the work. Do not allow anything to dissuade you from continuing to herald the good news. God is not going to let His message vanish and fade away. He will always have His people where they need to be saying what they need to say. Don’t stop! Otherwise, God will raise up another to preach the Gospel of the kingdom.
