A Man’s Man
“John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.” ESV Mark 1:4-6
Had I lived then, I think I would have enjoyed meeting John the Baptist and listening to him preach. Clothed in camel’s hair, living off the land, and preaching in the wilderness, John the Baptist was a man’s man. He must have been a dynamic speaker as well because he was attracting followers from all of Judea and Jerusalem. John had his own mega-church in the wood. I wonder what the music was like; contemporary or traditional?
But John’s purpose was not to attract a crowd. John’s purpose was not to build a huge following. John’s purpose was not to entertain with popular music at the gatherings. No, John’s purpose was singular; to announce and prepare the way for Jesus to begin His earthly ministry. Nor was John’s ministry of his own creation. Mark tells us that John’s ministry had been prophesied hundreds of years earlier by Isaiah.
Perhaps most importantly, John the Baptist preached the coming of one mightier than him. John baptized with water, but he preached of the Son of God, Jesus, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
Sadly, the truth that John proclaimed didn’t always ‘stick.’ In the Gospel of John, Jesus says that John “was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.” You see, John was a lamp, but as my study bible notes point out, he was not the “Light.” Jesus is the light that John pointed to. And while it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of a popular pastor or church, the experience never bears lasting fruit unless the truth of Christ is proclaimed and accepted.
What is the truth about Christ? Well, Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life even though he was tempted just like you and me, was convicted and died a criminals death for transgressions he did not commit so that the rest of us could become reconciled to God through faith in him. This is the gospel. This is the simple gospel message that Jesus spoke of in Mark 1:14 when he said: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Dynamic preachers are great and it is exciting to be in an energetic church that is growing. But if the simple gospel is not being preached, the excitement will wane and no lasting fruit will come forth. Don’t place your faith in the lamp. Place your faith in the Light; Jesus Christ.
Ken Askew
Had I lived then, I think I would have enjoyed meeting John the Baptist and listening to him preach. Clothed in camel’s hair, living off the land, and preaching in the wilderness, John the Baptist was a man’s man. He must have been a dynamic speaker as well because he was attracting followers from all of Judea and Jerusalem. John had his own mega-church in the wood. I wonder what the music was like; contemporary or traditional?
But John’s purpose was not to attract a crowd. John’s purpose was not to build a huge following. John’s purpose was not to entertain with popular music at the gatherings. No, John’s purpose was singular; to announce and prepare the way for Jesus to begin His earthly ministry. Nor was John’s ministry of his own creation. Mark tells us that John’s ministry had been prophesied hundreds of years earlier by Isaiah.
Perhaps most importantly, John the Baptist preached the coming of one mightier than him. John baptized with water, but he preached of the Son of God, Jesus, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
Sadly, the truth that John proclaimed didn’t always ‘stick.’ In the Gospel of John, Jesus says that John “was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.” You see, John was a lamp, but as my study bible notes point out, he was not the “Light.” Jesus is the light that John pointed to. And while it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of a popular pastor or church, the experience never bears lasting fruit unless the truth of Christ is proclaimed and accepted.
What is the truth about Christ? Well, Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life even though he was tempted just like you and me, was convicted and died a criminals death for transgressions he did not commit so that the rest of us could become reconciled to God through faith in him. This is the gospel. This is the simple gospel message that Jesus spoke of in Mark 1:14 when he said: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Dynamic preachers are great and it is exciting to be in an energetic church that is growing. But if the simple gospel is not being preached, the excitement will wane and no lasting fruit will come forth. Don’t place your faith in the lamp. Place your faith in the Light; Jesus Christ.
Ken Askew
posted by TBC at
8/17/2009 08:42:00 PM
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