John the Baptist was a forerunner of Jesus. The purpose of his ministry was to tell people to repent, be baptized and prepare to receive the Kingdom of God through the ministry of Jesus. Let's look in on John the Baptist's encounter with the Jewish leaders as they began to question his authority:
19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” 20 He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”
“No,” he replied.
“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”
“No.”
22 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’
24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent 25 asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”
26 John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. 27 Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”
28 This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing. John 1: 19-28
WHO ARE YOU? THE JEWISH AUTHORITIES ASKED JOHN THE BAPTIST.
THEY REALLY WANTED TO KNOW WHERE HE GOT THE AUTHORITY TO DO WAHT HE WAS DOING!
Preaching! Telling People to Repent and be Baptized!
They asked: ARE YOU THE MESSIAH?
NO! He said!
ARE YOU ELIJAH! NO!
ARE YOU THAT GREAT PROPHET! NO!
THEN WHO ARE YOU!
I AM THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS-MAKE A STRAIGHT PATH FOR THE LORD!
Application Question:
Am I making a straight path for people to get to the Lord?
Or am I making it difficult for people to see Jesus either because of my lifestyle or my silence.
Prayer: Father thank you for the boldness of John the Baptist who boldly prepared for your arrival. Forgive me for the times when I have misrepresented you and turned people away from Jesus. Let my light shine so brightly that people will see my good works and glorify you!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
