When was the last time you were involved in a "Surprise Party?"Did someone post themselves as a lookout to advise you of the arrival of the individual that was to be surprised?Did you ever serve in the military?Did you do guard duty or were you an advance man on a patrol?How about preparing for the arrival of a very special person - a political dignitary or well-known celebrity?Did you get involved in making preparations for their arrival?Did you tell others so they would be ready when this person came?
In history, when the king was coming, someone went ahead to tell others to get ready, "The King is Coming!"Today, when the President or Governor is coming, certain preparations have to be made to assure their safety, designate where they would be at what time and who would be allowed to see them - near or from a nearby.Jesus gets the same treatment about six months before He starts His ministry!
Jesus is a real person in an established point of time and history!Jesus is now an adult, but before He begins His ministry, the world has to be told that He is coming just like any king or dignitary is announced!There is some preparation that needs to occur to help launch His Kingdom!
Luke's Gospel establishes this event in world history. Historical persons include Tiberius Caesar (who was a worse ruler than Augustus), Pilate (who was a "Prefect," not a governor), Herod, Philip (two sons of Herod the Great), Lysanias (These were three "Tetrarchs" - ruler of a ), Annas, who was the legal High Priest by the Mosaical Law and Caiaphas who was appointed by the Roman government. At that time, they had two High Priests one by succession and one by government appointment.
Recognize the Life Changing Call of the Gospel- Matthew 3:1; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:1-3a
John the Baptist is an unusual herald!At age thirty, the time when a priest would begin his work, John doesn't go to Jerusalem, but to the desert near a road and the Jordan River!He originally came from around Hebron.Later, he will be placed near Aenon that is, a few miles south of the Sea of Galilee.He wore camel hair (not skins) clothes, leather belt and had a diet of locusts and honey!This attire and behavior reflects that John the Baptist is a prophet in the pattern of the Old Testament!
We don't have to become some extreme eccentric or weird person to proclaim the Gospel, but we do have to recognize the power of God calling you to step up and change other people's lives by communicating the salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Recognize how God has called and equipped you to be a witness for His Kingdom.
Embrace the call of God - Matthew3:1-3; Mark 1:2-3; Luke 3:3b-6
John initially preaches to passersby.God entrusts His Kingdom to be proclaimed by the messages of men.(What are you doing to tell others, "Jesus is coming"?)These people will tell others who will travel miles and days just to hear John preach.Everyone is interested in hearing from God's spokesman!He is the first prophet since Malachi!
Our challenge is to find what God has called us to do and put our heart into it.
Be genuine in your Life and Message - Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6
Repent and be immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins!Repent means to "turn around."John is telling the Jews that they have not kept the Mosaical Law.
If you change the mind, you will change the behavior!We will not change to become more like Christ until we first admit that we have sinned and that we need to stop that sinful behavior and walk in the way of Christ.
Meet People where they are at spiritually - Matthew 3:5-6; Mark 1:5
John the Baptist's immersion is a sign (initiation rite) signifying that they are acknowledging that they are sinners and they want to change their lives to stop sinning!Immersion used as an initiation rite of Jewish proselytes.Jesus will later ordain this rite and the Apostles will perform it on all who become believers in Jesus as their Lord.
Meeting people where they are is not accomplished by condemnation, but by showing the way to deliverance.Most know they need a Savior, they just don't know how to connect to Jesus.Meet them and show them the way.
Lovingly communicate the consequences of not following God's way - Matthew 3:2; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3
Sin is the problem and Jesus is the SOLUTION!Repentance is our first step towards coming to Jesus.The King is Coming!Get ready!This is no ordinary King that John is telling them about.It will take months to get the people informed!This fulfills prophecies in Malachi (Mark) and Isaiah (Luke).The people will have little memory, if any, of the events that happened 30 years ago.To them the news about Jesus is new and they are open to hearing what John has to say about Him.
The People's Response!
When people hear about John and his preaching, they travel for days to the place where he was so they could hear him preach!It takes a full day to walk from Jerusalem downhill to the Jordan River.If John is further north, it will take another day or two to get to where he is preaching and baptizing.Many responded to his message and were immersed in the Jordan River.What is your response?Do you believe in Jesus as your King?
God bless you and have a great week!
These articles are related to the "Getting To Know Jesus" Bible study series, a non-denominational Bible study that is written to help you become more like Jesus! Jesus is a role model and a testimony of God's best being given to us! The world acclaimed "Getting To Know Jesus" Bible study series is now available in your choice of formats:
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Glen Copple is an ordained minister who has over 25 years of preaching and teaching experience in ministering to non-denominational churches. In 1983, he earned a Master of Arts in Ministry from Pacific Christian College (now Hope International University) in Fullerton, CA, and has had ministries in Kansas, Missouri, and California. In previous ministries, Pastor Glen taught through the Life of Christ and developed the structure for "Getting To Know Jesus." He knew that God led him to put his years of ministry and Bible study to work to share with you, your family and friends in this non-denominational study of Jesus Christ, his life and teachings.
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