A Voice in the Wilderness: John the Baptist
Read: Malachi 3:1-6
Everybody is preparing for Christmas—and there is so much to do! Gifts to buy, get-togethers to plan, greetings to send. And don’t forget about cleaning! We want things to be just right.
John the Baptist was in the preparation business, too. And his ministry had been prophesied in the Old Testament. He wasn’t concerned about presents, parties or cleaning the house. He lived a humble life out in the wilderness, making clothing from camel hair and eating locusts with wild honey (Matthew 3:4). He believed that the Messiah was coming soon, and that his mission was to get people’s hearts ready to accept Him. So John taught people to repent from sin in order to prepare for the One who could truly take away the sins of the world.
After John was gone, people began to forget about him. Jesus had begun His earthly ministry by then, but as crowds listened to Jesus near the river where John had baptized, they remembered the prophet’s words—and it helped them believe that Jesus was the Messiah. “John did no sign”—he didn’t perform miracles, they said. “But everything that John said about this man was true” (John 10:41).
Reflect
It would be great if people said this about your family: “Everything they said about Jesus was true.” In what ways can you courageously speak only truth?
Pray about It
Ask God to remind your family that many people will learn of Jesus through your witness.