Advent: Time for the BEST (3 of 5)

Advent: Time for the B.E.S.T

E: Enlightened

Through an examination of Scripture, it is obvious to see that John was B-Bold, in both his speech and his actions. Now let's explore how John the Baptist fits the B.E.S.T. description by being E-Enlightened.

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 No, I am not encouraging anyone to jump on the current cultural bandwagon and declaring how newly "woke" I am or we all should be. Instead, let's use this Advent season to reflect on the importance of Jesus' birth and also explore John the Baptist's role in this season. 

Enlightened: "having or showing a rational, modern, and well-informed outlook"

This definition looks reasonable, but by society's standards, most wouldn't have described John as rational, modern, or well-informed about what the world views as important.

Spiritually speaking, John does fit every bit of the above definition by Oxford Languages, but the second definition is even more appropriate: "spiritually aware." We have every indication from Scripture that John the Baptist was Spirit-filled even from the womb.

In the beginning of Luke's gospel, Luke explains that he has completed a great deal of investigation surrounding Jesus, and he desires to "write an orderly account." This orderly account actually begins with John's beginnings.

John's parents were Zechariah and Elizabeth, and Luke 1:6 states, "Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly." 

How remarkable to be described in this manner! The rest of the story is in the next verse, "But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old." So, a childless home for these two who passionately followed the Lord.

And then one day when Zechariah was continuing to carry out his priestly duties, he was startled by an angel. Luke 1:13-17, records the scene, "But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Clearly, John the Baptist was Enlightened (spiritually aware) since he was filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth!

Physical evidence of this is even revealed in the familiar account of the expectant Mary (Jesus' mother) visiting her relative Elizabeth (who was expecting John). Luke 1:41 states, "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit."

John 1:6-8 states John's enlightenment more succinctly, "There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light."

John the Baptist has a big role in the Christmas story, and actually, we need to strive to follow in his footsteps. We don't have to wear camel hair clothing or eat locusts, but we do need to seek wisdom and ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit. We do need to "testify concerning that light." 

Jesus wants to play a role in the lives of each of us. 

He wants us to each be enlightened and recognize the True Light in our lives.

We are then to spend our lives striving to be "a witness to the light."

Heavenly Father, I am a sinner. I need you in my life. I believe that You sent Jesus to this world to redeem all who believe. Father, help me to recognize Jesus as the True Light, fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to spend this season testifying to the Light in my life. In Jesus' Precious Name. Amen.

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.

Advent: Time for the BEST (1 of 5)

 Advent

Time for the B.E.S.T.

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As Advent is the precursor, the time before, Christmas, John the Baptist was the precursor to Jesus’ time on this earth. Throughout our time together this Advent season, we are going to explore the B.E.S.T. qualities in John the Baptist. As we venture further into this holiday season, let’s also look inward to determine if we can grow a little closer to being B.E.S.T. as well.

B-Bold

E-Enlightened

S-Servant

T-Teacher

In Scripture, John the Baptist received high praise from Jesus himself:

Matthew 11: 10-11a

"This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I  will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’”

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist..."

John "...not risen anyone greater..." John could even be referred to as the BEST man. 

Traditionally, a best man stands by the groom. He supports and encourages the groom on this momentous occasion. The best man doesn’t focus on his own life; his focus is on uplifting his friend. 

John’s life certainly fits this description as he even describes himself this way in John 3:28-29.

"You yourselves can testify that I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him. The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete."

This holiday season let us prepare our hearts like that of the B.E.S.T. man. Let us find some time to wait and listen for Him. Let us be filled with joy when we hear His still, small voice reassuring us.

Almighty God, we submit to You this holiday season. We want to prepare our hearts to be in tune to Your will. Help us to put aside our busy-ness and our agendas for Your Heavenly Plan. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.