In the Life of Christ “John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” — John 3:27 John the Baptist spoke these words when his ministry appeared to be losing momentum. His disciples had noticed that people were leaving them and going to Jesus. They approached John withContinue reading “The Ministry That Knows Where to Point”
Tag Archives: John the Baptist
When the Messenger Refuses the Spotlight
In the Life of Christ There is something wonderfully refreshing about John the Baptist in Luke 3:15–20. The crowds are beginning to wonder whether John might actually be the Messiah. That would have been an intoxicating moment for almost anyone. Imagine people beginning to whisper that perhaps you are the person God has promised forContinue reading “When the Messenger Refuses the Spotlight”
Repentance That Shows Up on Monday
In the Life of Christ “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. — Luke 3:10 That may be one of the healthiest questions anyone can ask after hearing the truth of God: What should I do now? John the Baptist had been preaching repentance with enough force to shake people out of their comfortableContinue reading “Repentance That Shows Up on Monday”
Turn Around—The King Is Coming
In the Life of Christ There is something refreshingly uncomplicated about John the Baptist. He does not arrive in Luke’s Gospel trying to build a following around himself. He has one message because, ultimately, he has one mission: prepare people for Jesus. Luke tells us that John went throughout the Jordan region “preaching a baptismContinue reading “Turn Around—The King Is Coming”
When God Speaks from the Wilderness
In the Life of Christ Luke does something interesting before John the Baptist ever begins preaching. He gives us names. Important names. Tiberius Caesar. Pontius Pilate. Herod. Philip. Lysanias. Annas. Caiaphas. These were the people who occupied the political and religious structures of authority in John’s day. If you had asked the average person whereContinue reading “When God Speaks from the Wilderness”
GOD’S PATTERNS ARE NEVER RANDOM
DID YOU KNOW “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” —Luke 3:4 The Bible often shows us that God does not work in disconnected moments. He builds one act of redemption upon another, allowing earlier events to become patterns that help us recognizeContinue reading “GOD’S PATTERNS ARE NEVER RANDOM”
THE COURAGE TO POINT BEYOND YOURSELF
In the Life of Christ “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’” —John 1:35–36 John the Baptist had spent his ministry gathering disciples, preaching repentance, baptizing those who responded, and preparing Israel for the arrival of theContinue reading “THE COURAGE TO POINT BEYOND YOURSELF”
A Voice That Refuses the Spotlight
In the Life of Christ “He said: ‘I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD,” as the prophet Isaiah said.’” John 1:23 There is something spiritually cleansing about meeting a man who knows who he is without needing to convince everyone that he is important. JohnContinue reading “A Voice That Refuses the Spotlight”
The Light Demands a Decision
In the Life of Christ “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” — John 1:6–8 John’s Gospel opensContinue reading “The Light Demands a Decision”
When Faith Must Trust What It Cannot Yet See
On Second Thought “Jesus answered and said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.” —Luke 7:22 John the Baptist had onceContinue reading “When Faith Must Trust What It Cannot Yet See”