JOHN: Goodbook 03-05-13

Goodbook messages arrive every Tuesday and Friday with a Scripture reading and ideas for how to apply the reading in our lives. We are reading through the book of Acts. For additional Scripture reading, you can follow the Advanced Track.

Reading: Acts 19:3-4

So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied.  Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Application:

John the Baptist is an intriguing character in the Bible.

His lineage was intriguing.  John was the cousin of Jesus.  He is said to have leaped in his mom's tummy when he heard Mary, the mother of Jesus, greet Elizabeth (Luke 1:41).

His attire and lifestyle were intriguing.  John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist.  His food was locust and honey (Mathew 3:4).

His approach to ministry was intriguing.  He did not pull any punches.  Listen to how he opens one of his messages to the crowds who came to be baptized by him: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?" (Matthew 3:7).  I was thinking of starting my next sermon like that.  What do you think?  Ok, maybe not.

John's death was intriguing.  He told King Herod that it was not lawful to marry his brother's wife.  John's head ended up on a platter.  Ouch.

Still, the most intriguing thing about John to me is that he always pointed people to Jesus.  Ministry for John was not about getting people to believe in him or follow him.  It was about getting people to believe in Jesus and follow Jesus.  Before Jesus came on the scene, John pointed to his coming.  When Jesus came on the scene, John pointed to Jesus.  Here's one example from John's Gospel: "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” (John 1:29-31).

How are our words and our actions pointing people to Jesus?

1) Find some way today to point another person to Jesus.  Use words or use actions to direct their attention to the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.

Share your comments and application ideas…