Day 2 of 49
Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. John 1:29
John the Baptist came to bear witness to Jesus Christ as the Messiah. While in his mother’s womb, he leaped when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, came near. The disciple John tells us that John the Baptist was not the light, but came to bear witness to the true light (John 1:6-9).
From his birth, he had a specific call and purpose in life. An angel announced his birth and his purpose. He would be the messenger that came before the coming Messiah, a voice in the wilderness calling the people to prepare their hearts and make a straight way into the desert. He would fulfill prophesies concerning the coming of the Messiah.
Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:1
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Is 40:3.
Family and friends who knew the story of his birth watched John grow up, what would this miracle child do as an adult? Was he the promised Messiah? When the call of God came, were they surprised to find him in the wilderness, dressed in camel skins and eating only locusts and wild honey?
John spoke his message clearly and boldly. He spoke about the coming kingdom of heaven, calling the people to repent from their sins and walk in righteousness. He confronted the Jewish leadership as well as King Herod.
He humbly responded in regards to himself in relation to the Messiah. He diligently served his purpose, baptizing those who wanted repentance, telling all about the coming Messiah.
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.
7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mk 1:4–8.
He served as a prophet to the people, the forerunner in the likeness of Elijah, boldly proclaiming the way of the Lord…preparing the hearts of the people to meet their coming Messiah. Later, when John had been beheaded, the people sought out Jesus.
41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”
42 And many believed in him there.
Jn 10:40–42.
He identified Jesus as the one who was to come. How did he know for sure? He said he saw a dove descend on Jesus (John 1:33).
Jesus came to him to be baptized. John tried to refuse, feeling that he was the one who needed the baptism of Christ. Was he looking for the baptism by fire? But Jesus persisted, and John, in obedience, baptized the Son of God.
John pointed Jesus out to his disciples and two of them followed Jesus home to spend the day with him. There are no revelations of what was said or done that day, but later, when Jesus called them from their fishing to follow him, not only did John and Andrew follow, but also Peter and James left their nets.
Before John was beheaded, while he sat in jail, he sent his disciples to ask if Jesus was the one. Perhaps he expected to be at Jesus’ side, not imprisoned. Perhaps he needed encouragement that he had done well. I love the answer Jesus gave, “tell John what you have seen…” His actions demonstrated the fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah, giving the answer from the prophets to his prophet.
The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John,
19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ ”
21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight.
22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.”
Luke 7:18-22
His words as the disciples left revealed the honor he gave to John’s faithfulness, in essence saying to John, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.”
John humbly and faithfully declared the word of the Lord with boldness. He called people to repentance, and continually gave the message of hope for the Messiah to come.
God has also placed a call on our lives. He desires that we walk with integrity and humility as we share the hope that is in Jesus Christ who died on the cross to open the way for us to have a relationship with the Lord God. He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, enabling us to make progress towards fulfilling our calling.
Lord, help us to humbly yet boldly speak your truth so that others will be able to recognize Jesus Christ and desire to know him. Let our lives be a reflection of the light you have given us.
TRICIA LATHROP 