The Warner- John the Baptist

1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.’ ”^a

4John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Matthew 3:1-4)

Thoughts: Someone needs to say it: God is coming.  Someone needs to say- if God is coming, then you better get cleaned up, straightened up.  Someone needs to tell the people that is time to wake up- and sound the alarm. John the Baptist was the one sounding the bell.
       John was a humble man.  He had no money, no real food, he was like a wild man in the wilderness.  Yet, what he taught was powerful and true.  It was a reminder to quit wearing religion on our sleeve but to have it from our hearts.  People responded to him because the Holy Spirit was moving and at work through John's voice.
            Baptism was a symbol to John and the people of repentance. It was a symbol of wanting to be clean and washed by God. Our baptism too is a symbol of having heard the message and responding by having the water on us.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to repent in my heart.  Give me grace to turn away from selfishness to turn toward you.  

Testifying To What He Has Heard

29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.”^h

31The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.  (John 3)

Thoughts: John testifies to what he has heard.  He has heard and understood that Jesus is the Messiah.  Earlier John had said, "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of ht =e wolr.  The best man rejoices with the groom.  John has seen and understood that Jesus is to be elevated.  John's message was pure and true because he clearly heard God's call upon his life and the life of his people. John's call to repent comes from a hear that is humble.  He is able to give up his pride to glorify God and to allow Jesus' messiahship. We too are able to listen to God best when we humble ourselves before Him. 

Prayer: Lord, give me ears to hear and hearts to respond. 

12/8= John the Baptist

12/8- Luke 1:57-60 John the Baptist
57When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
     59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”

Thoughts: John the Baptist was called by Jesus “the greatest born among women.”  He was considered a prophet in the power and office of Elijah.  John did an amazing job. He humbled himself- saying “He [Jesus] must increase while I must decrease.”  This is great advice for all of us.  The word “John” means “God is gracious” and He was.  John did not shrink back from challenging even the soldiers who were oppressing the people to not be over-demanding just because they could.  He also did not hesitate to rebuke Herod the King- even at cost to his life.  He was not about to play it safe or be politically correct so as not to offend the powers that be.  John was the one who pointed to Jesus- “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29).”  We too can point to Jesus.  John was the one who prepared the way for Jesus’ coming.  He teaches us to be prepared to experience Christ by turning away from evil and turning toward God. 

Prayer: Lord, may I point to you the author and perfector of my faith.  

Activity: Prepare today to have a holy Christmas.  What do you need to do to make your Christmas more holy?  Can you get your children a religious gift as well as a regular gift?  Could you teach your children generosity by getting a gift for a Thornwell child? 

Song: Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary; pure and holy; tried and true; With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. 

1-3-13 John the Baptist points to the Light

6There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. (John 2:6-8)

Thoughts: John the Baptist was an important figure in the early church.  In some ways, John was more popular than Jesus.  But John continually pointed away from himself onto the Christ.  Josephus has a long paragraph about John but only a short mention of Jesus.  John had several disciples who left him to follow Jesus- notably Andrew , Peter, James, and John.
    John was not the light- anymore than the moon can produce light in and of itself.  Yet the moon may be a bright witness to the sun's light.  

Prayer: May I bear witness to you, O Lord. May you increase that I may decrease. 

1/1/14- John the Baptist and the coming of Christ

15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)...29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” (John 1)

‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.” (Jn. 3:29,30)

Thoughts: Jesus and John the Baptist were close (probably second) cousins.  They needed no reintroduction when Jesus came to be baptized by John.  Mary visited Elizabeth when they were both pregnant.  John the Baptist in utero lept for joy.  It was an early sign that a little child will lead us.
     One of the truly amazing things is the humility lifted up at Christmas.  Jesus was born to a poor family, and placed in a manger.  But John humbles himself below Jesus- pointing his disciples to Jesus, and willing to give up his popularity in order for Jesus to be well known.  Jesus' coming to earth was made clearer and his ministry was propelled by John's pointing away from himself to Jesus.  John knew something we will all realize one day- that we will all humble ourselves before God, and that we are placed on earth to glorify God more than ourselves. 

   In our self-absorbed, what's-in-it-for-me, selfie driven world, we could learn a lesson from the humility of both Jesus and John the Baptist.  On this first day of the year, let us enter into the new year with humility and listening ears- keeping our eyes on Jesus. 

Prayer: Lord, may I decrease and may you increase.  

(Infant Jesus and Infant John the Baptist by Bartolome Esteban Murillo d. 1682). 

12-4-13 John the Baptist

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.  15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) (John 1:6-8, 15)

Thoughts: John was not only Jesus cousin sent with a message of preparation and repentance.  John was sent primarily to testify to the light of lights- Jesus the Christ.  John was humble enough to not seek his own title or glory.  Rather, he sought the glory of God.  We would do well to learn from John's humility, and willingness to listen to God and repent of sin.  John was willing to decrease that Jesus would increase.  This too is a great example for us.  

Prayer: Lord, may your glory increase and may my glory decrease. May I humble myself and repent of my sin.  

Leonardo Da Vinci's John the Baptist (pointing to the cross)

Soliloquy of John on Christmas:
      The Messiah is coming.  We have been waiting for the One to show us the way to live, and the way to show us to heaven.  I believe I was made for this- to point to Him and to give myself to Him.  I will not let anything get in the way of that.
      My father was arrested and martyred when I was young by Herod.  I am not afraid to speak against him.  I am only afraid of not doing what I was sent here to do.  If I am silent or if I only try to elevate myself, then I have failed.  

Other verses: 

19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:19-36)