Advent: Time for the BEST (2 of 5)

 

Advent

Time for the BEST

Let's first look at how John fits the description of being B.E.S.T. by exploring in what ways John was Bold.

John's boldness is apparent from the start as his coming helps fulfill prophecy: John 1:1-4, "The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way' --a voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."

This boldness of John's is rooted in the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:80 explains, "And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly in Israel."

When it was time for John to appear, he clearly had a mission to follow. John 1:15 records John the Baptist at his mission, "(John testified concerning him [Jesus]. 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's boldness affected every aspect of his life, as he certainly didn't strive to fit in or "keep up with the Joneses." Matthew 3:4 describes the scene, "John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey." 

Interesting then, are the next verses, Matthew 3:5-6 "People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River."

A unique figure, to be sure. 

Bold in his appearance; bold in his lifestyle choices; bold in his declarations and his challenge to all who would listen. 

John certainly did not live to fit in or to go unnoticed. 

John also apparently did none of the typical things to gain the approval of the hordes (appearance, money, "hanging with the right crowd") and yet people were drawn to him, or more so, his message. They were drawn to him to confess their sins; they were drawn to a stranger in camel's hair clothing who dined on grasshoppers and honey in order to seek ways in which they could be forgiven. Remarkable, and certainly the work of the Spirit.

Despite the fact that John didn't tell people what they wanted to hear, they were drawn to him. John even spoke boldly of the leaders of the day. Luke 3:19-20, "But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison." The story doesn't end there. 

John's boldness didn't come without a cost. Matthew 14:10, records that John was bold even if it cost him his life: "...and [Herod] had John beheaded in prison."

John was guided by the Spirit and not by the world. John was bold, 

and that is just part of what makes him fit the description of B.E.S.T.

Heavenly Father: Thank you for the examples of being bold that are provided in Your Word. Guide me through this season, and help me live more for Your purpose rather than my own. In Jesus' Name. Amen.