John 1:29-34 (NLT)
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”
I initially began to think about the faith it would take to go into the wilderness, proclaiming something that God had put on his heart, not sure of "when" it's going to happen, but doing so with only knowing “what” God had called him to do. I can only imagine the thoughts, and likely doubts, that went through his mind. He was going into unchartered territory with a message others had never heard. His confirmation was essentially: Keep your eyes on the sky and wait for the Spirit to fly... To keep looking up... keep speaking out... and continue to do so while living in the wilderness, eating locusts and honeycomb. The locusts and honeycomb would have likely been enough to deter most people. I'm quite sure bee suits didn't exist then, and a sweet treat likely came with several nasty stings. Honey-dipped locust isn't exactly at the top of most people’s "to do" list.
Then Luke 3:4 came to mind: "He is a voice in the wilderness, Prepare a way for the Lord's coming! Clear the road for him!" It reminded me of a time when I used a large bulldozer to clear a road through some hunting land. It wasn't an easy task, since it takes some serious power to knock down old growth. There is major resistance! Trees were snapping, limbs were falling, and roots were being ripped up as the old was wiped away and a clear and clean path was being made for the new road. As I continued to think about John preparing the way for our coming King, more and more verses began to come to mind. I thought about him jumping in his mother’s womb as she stood close to Mary and greeted her (Luke 1:41).
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT)
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
God knew John, created John, placed John, and put a calling on him long in advance (Ephesians 2:10). Perhaps John jumped in Elizabeth's womb before he was born because he knew the fulfillment of his purpose, while years away in the measurement of time, was only a few feet away in the measurement of distance. I wonder if John's dad told him, "Son, when God tells you to do something... Do it! Because, speaking with locust breath is far better than not being able to speak out at all.” (Luke 1:20) God not only prepared John, He used the people around John and those that came before him to do it.
Psalm 102:18 (NLT)
Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord.
Father,
Thank You for the calling You have placed on each of our lives. Thank You for knitting us and creating us with a purpose. Lord, help us to have the faith we need to finish the race You have laid before us, to walk in the "what", even when we don't know the "when". Lord, thank You for taking the time and caring enough about us to not only equip us for the journey, but also place the people we need around us to help us get there. We love You, we honor You, and may every generation praise You! Amen
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”
I initially began to think about the faith it would take to go into the wilderness, proclaiming something that God had put on his heart, not sure of "when" it's going to happen, but doing so with only knowing “what” God had called him to do. I can only imagine the thoughts, and likely doubts, that went through his mind. He was going into unchartered territory with a message others had never heard. His confirmation was essentially: Keep your eyes on the sky and wait for the Spirit to fly... To keep looking up... keep speaking out... and continue to do so while living in the wilderness, eating locusts and honeycomb. The locusts and honeycomb would have likely been enough to deter most people. I'm quite sure bee suits didn't exist then, and a sweet treat likely came with several nasty stings. Honey-dipped locust isn't exactly at the top of most people’s "to do" list.
Then Luke 3:4 came to mind: "He is a voice in the wilderness, Prepare a way for the Lord's coming! Clear the road for him!" It reminded me of a time when I used a large bulldozer to clear a road through some hunting land. It wasn't an easy task, since it takes some serious power to knock down old growth. There is major resistance! Trees were snapping, limbs were falling, and roots were being ripped up as the old was wiped away and a clear and clean path was being made for the new road. As I continued to think about John preparing the way for our coming King, more and more verses began to come to mind. I thought about him jumping in his mother’s womb as she stood close to Mary and greeted her (Luke 1:41).
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT)
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
God knew John, created John, placed John, and put a calling on him long in advance (Ephesians 2:10). Perhaps John jumped in Elizabeth's womb before he was born because he knew the fulfillment of his purpose, while years away in the measurement of time, was only a few feet away in the measurement of distance. I wonder if John's dad told him, "Son, when God tells you to do something... Do it! Because, speaking with locust breath is far better than not being able to speak out at all.” (Luke 1:20) God not only prepared John, He used the people around John and those that came before him to do it.
Psalm 102:18 (NLT)
Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord.
Father,
Thank You for the calling You have placed on each of our lives. Thank You for knitting us and creating us with a purpose. Lord, help us to have the faith we need to finish the race You have laid before us, to walk in the "what", even when we don't know the "when". Lord, thank You for taking the time and caring enough about us to not only equip us for the journey, but also place the people we need around us to help us get there. We love You, we honor You, and may every generation praise You! Amen