Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Have you ever found yourself sitting in circumstances that you never expected?
Are you doing the best you can to live as you believe God would ask but still find yourself overwhelmed by the way life is unfolding?
Do you feel imprisoned due to things beyond your control?
These questions speak to the frailty and humanity of a person that is experiencing some stuff in life.
John the Baptist was a perfect example of this. He was born to be the Prophet that would be the forerunner to Jesus and he was obedient to the call. He was doing all the right stuff but still found himself sitting in prison awaiting his destiny. He realized that his life was nearing the end and he just needed to know if Jesus was really the Messiah that had been promised.
Jesus called JB the greatest man on earth. (JB is my new name for John the Baptizer)
Matthew 11:11
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than (>) John the Baptist….
JB’s FAMILY TREE:
Father – Zechariah – struck mute until John’s birth due to his reaction upon hearing that they would have a child in their elder years.
Mother – Elizabeth- Mary visited her as soon as the Angel announced the birth of Jesus and John did a cartwheel inside her upon hearing this news.
Relatives – Mary, Jesus and all his brothers and sisters – most believe they were cousins.
JB’s Ministry:
The Book of Luke gives us an extremely precise date for the beginning of John’s ministry. He writes:
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar . . . the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness; and he went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins [Luke 3:1-3].
“The fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar” is most obviously understood as a reference to A.D. 29 which would be a year before Jesus’ ministry.
While his ministry was growing in followers, JB’s message was gaining popularity. The fact is that he became so popular that many people thought that he was the Messiah. This was not his intent as he had a clear vision for what he was called to do. John 3:28 tells us, “You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’” This verse speaks of JB’s telling his disciples that what they had seen from him was only his submission as a messenger sent by God to proclaim the truth. His message was simple and direct: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2). He knew that once Jesus appeared on the scene, his work would be all but finished. He willingly gave up the spotlight to Jesus saying, “He must become greater; I must become less John 3:30 .(He>I)I believe there is no greater example of humility than the one shown by both in Matthew 3:13-15. At the beginning of His ministry,Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by JB in the Jordan River.
JB’s ministry, as well as his life, came to an abrupt end at the hand of King Herod. Herodias, Herod’s wife and the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip, plotted with her daughter,Salome, to have John killed. JB was thrown in prison and prepared to suffer whatever but he needed to know if his imminent death was for the right person, He was in a season of life filled with struggle and turmoil. He found himself questioning God. We cannot know for sure what John was feeling as he sat in prison but we can be sure that he had some doubts and struggles. In fact, John sends a message out of prison to Jesus asking, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matthew 11:3.
JB’s Lessons:
JB did not set out with the goal of being peculiar. Although he was unusually strange wearing camel-hair clothes and eating honey roasted locust. Rather, he directed all of his efforts toward obedience. Obviously, JB hit the mark, as Jesus called him the greatest of men. He proved to be an exemplary vessel of God’s glory. JB was willing to:
STAND UP
SPEAK OUT
STAND FIRM
STAY FAITHFUL
When we come to realize that God has given us a specific purpose for our lives, we can move forward with confidence, fully trusting the One who called us. As Christians we all will have our faith put to the test, and we will either falter or, as JB, cling to Christ and stand firm in our faith to the end.
Like JB, we don’t have to fear being a peculiar, radical, visual proof that God will use us to carry out His plan. Can there be any greater joy in this life than to know we are pleasing our God and rewards await us in heaven? Undoubtedly, moments after his beheading JB must have heard, “Well done my good and faithful servant!”
God hears every question you ask. He hears our every grunt and groan. He gives you grace to be in a down season in your life. Sometimes we just struggle. He will use the trials to strengthen our faith. I write this to tell you to keep on, persevere because JESUS is the expected ONE. I am expecting Him to Rapture His Bride very soon!
Rebekah Marsh
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#rebekahmarshblogs
Photo credit: Lucky Buck Jewelry, Guntersville, Alabama