Lessons from John the Baptist
I. Conceived miraculously.
Luke 1:13-14 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
II. Consecrated from conception.
Luke 1:15-17 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
III. Called to serve the Lord.
Luke 1:16-17 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
IV. Courageous in service. Read Luke 3:18-20
Luke 7:24-28 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
V. Confused by circumstances.
Luke 7:18-20 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Being faithful in service does not guarantee understanding the working of God in our lives. We need to be faithful, having faith in Him, understanding that His plan is bigger than we are. We are a part of the whole and will bring glory to God through carrying out our part in His work. We should always remember –
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Note of interest: The comparison of John to Elijah.
Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Matthew 11:13-14 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
Both Elijah and John were powerful prophets of God, but each came to have doubts about the success of their ministries.
Elijah did not understand why Israel did not repent in sackcloth and ashes following the victory God wrought against the false prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. At the end of the day, nothing had changed except the anger of Jezebel had increased and she sought to have him killed!
Men measure their work according to their perception in time and space. The Lord views His work in both time and eternity. He knows the end from the beginning.
We must invest our faith and trust in Him.