John the Baptist was
in prison for doing his job - telling the truth that everybody needs to repent
of sin and get ready for God. John knew that God had appointed him; he was born
miraculously to aged parents and the angel Gabriel had explained to them what
their child's life purpose would be (Luke 1:5-25). Although John was a cousin of Jesus, he did
not identify Him as God the Son, until the Father and the Spirit joined Jesus
at His baptism (John 1:29-34).
Jesus honoured John as a man who did not change his message to suit his hearers. He was not a lone artistic philosopher to suit the radicals of society. He was not dressed to impress; a harsh camel hair coat, and leather belt was not going to attract the big businessmen. The people who travelled out into the wilderness to hear him preach wanted to hear God speak through his unusual man: whether or not they wanted to be obedient, they knew that John was God's mouthpiece.
Jesus explained that John was no 'ordinary' prophet, but a prophet whose ministry was already specified in Malachi 3:1 "'I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,' says the Lord Almighty." As the immediate forerunner of Jesus, John's ministry validated Him as 'the Lord' who would bring a new covenant.
When God chooses a person for a key spiritual task, He equips His servant with supernatural resolve so he or she is not deflected from the task. That resolve is a determination to please God alone; not to win favour or popularity, or to secure patronage or influence. What is said will be true, without fear or favour; what is done will demonstrate God's righteousness. Such a person will always point people to Jesus. In your community and workplace, do not give in to popularism, materialism, or power politics. Just be available for Jesus to use you as His ambassador, be resolved to be true to the truth, and ignore the opinions of others.
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for appointing me to be Your witness where I live and work. I am sorry for the times when I have ignored the truth to suit the people I am with. Please help me to have that prophetic resolve which is unaffected by patronage or pressure. Please help me to be clear that my life is about advertising You and not me; and give me the desire to do everything for Your glory. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Jesus honoured John as a man who did not change his message to suit his hearers. He was not a lone artistic philosopher to suit the radicals of society. He was not dressed to impress; a harsh camel hair coat, and leather belt was not going to attract the big businessmen. The people who travelled out into the wilderness to hear him preach wanted to hear God speak through his unusual man: whether or not they wanted to be obedient, they knew that John was God's mouthpiece.
Jesus explained that John was no 'ordinary' prophet, but a prophet whose ministry was already specified in Malachi 3:1 "'I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,' says the Lord Almighty." As the immediate forerunner of Jesus, John's ministry validated Him as 'the Lord' who would bring a new covenant.
When God chooses a person for a key spiritual task, He equips His servant with supernatural resolve so he or she is not deflected from the task. That resolve is a determination to please God alone; not to win favour or popularity, or to secure patronage or influence. What is said will be true, without fear or favour; what is done will demonstrate God's righteousness. Such a person will always point people to Jesus. In your community and workplace, do not give in to popularism, materialism, or power politics. Just be available for Jesus to use you as His ambassador, be resolved to be true to the truth, and ignore the opinions of others.
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for appointing me to be Your witness where I live and work. I am sorry for the times when I have ignored the truth to suit the people I am with. Please help me to have that prophetic resolve which is unaffected by patronage or pressure. Please help me to be clear that my life is about advertising You and not me; and give me the desire to do everything for Your glory. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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