Advent: Time for the B.E.S.T
T: Teacher
John the Baptist was Bold, he was Enlightened,
he had the heart of a Servant, and finally, he was a Teacher.
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"The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River." Mark 1: 5
So, clearly John made an impact. The message he was sharing resonated enough that people were drawn to him.
One of the main reasons for that message was to testify to Jesus as was prophesied in the Old Testament. John could also testify about the experience surrounding the baptism of Jesus.
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.'
Then John gave this testimony: 'I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit,' I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One.'" John 1:29-34
Of course, John's teachings did bring mixed feelings to some. One in particular was Herod, "...Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him." Mark 6:20
In addition to testifying to Jesus and calling people to repent, John taught a simple message of kindness:
"'What should we do then?' the crowd asked.
John answered, 'Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.'
Even tax collectors came to be baptized. 'Teacher,' they asked, 'what should we do?'
'Don't collect any more than you are required to,' he told them.
Then some soldiers asked him, 'And what should we do?'
He replied, 'Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay.'" Luke 3:10-14
Those are some pretty simple, straight-forward messages and guidelines for daily living.
Sadly, the death of John the Baptist came after Herod ordered his beheading. In Matthew 14:12-13a Jesus' response is recorded, "John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place."
John the Baptist is spoken about again in John 10:40-42. This occurs not long before Christ's own death on the cross.
"Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, and many people came to him. They said, 'Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.' And in that place many believed in Jesus."
"...many believed in Jesus." Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!
John the Baptist came into this world to be bold.
He was enlightened by the Holy Spirit.
He was a servant for the Lord,
and he was a teacher to so many.
More importantly, his message included these memorable words:
"He must increase, but I must decrease."John 3:30 ESV
This Advent season, as we prepare our own hearts, let us seek to be each of these characteristics.
Help us be Bold for the Lord.
Help us to be Enlightened by the Holy Bible and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Help us to seek out ways to be a Servant.
Finally, help us seize upon opportunities to share the miracle of Jesus Christ.
Let's all strive to be the BEST this Advent season.
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of salvation through Your Son Jesus Christ. Forgive us our sins and help us to boldly live each day seeking to be enlightened by Your Holy Spirit and to serve and teach others of Your powerful influence on our lives. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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