John’s Testimony

by Diane Ward

John 1:19-28   

John’s transparent humanity, his passion and his vulnerability draw me to him. John is a man who knows who he is. He knows when to lead the way and when to step back and follow.  His dramatic preaching attracts much attention, but he directs it away from himself.  He knows who he is – the bridegroom rolling out the sacred carpet for the Messiah, preparing the way for his coming.  He is not the Messiah nor will he admit being the predicted second Elijah! (Malachi 4:5) “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” His sandals I am not worthy to untie. (John 1:27 and 29)

From the time the unborn John startled his mother Elizabeth with a jolt his testimony had begun.  Now at the river Jordan John is testifying that Jesus is the anointed one, the sacrifice for our sin. All three persons of the Trinity are involved; the Father speaks, the Son is baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove, (as had been revealed to John by the Holy Spirit.)

In the clutches of Israel’s tyrant King Herod John is imprisoned for calling him out as an adulterous law breaker. John, the man who knows who he is while facing execution, requires an answer to a gut-wrenching question. He sends his disciples to ask Jesus “are you he “the anointed one” that has come, or should we expect another?” Jesus answers, “go and tell John what you see and hear. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear. The dead are raised, and the poor have glad tidings peached to them. Blessed is he who finds no occasion of stumbling in me.  (Matthew 11:4-5)

When my heart is broken and my faith is tested, Holy Spirit – “Tell Diane to remember the miracles she has witnessed, the unexpected milestones of mercy and grace, of my unfailing love and abiding presence.”

Better Than Ice Cream

I love ice cream!

 

When my kids were young and growing up, an almost nightly summer ritual got them very excited. They would hear a bell, and perhaps some music. Immediately they would stop whatever they were doing and come running home, yelling, “The ice cream man! The ice cream man!”

 

I would grab my wallet, and we would all go outside, flag down the truck, and happily enjoy ice cream.

 

Today’s reading is John 1:1-12.

 

Prior to Jesus beginning his ministry, John the Baptist is sent to tell everyone that the Messiah is here. He “came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.”

 

What an awesome responsibility John had! What a great joy to be God’s mouthpiece to announce the coming of the promised Messiah!

 

The Baptist certainly had a large following. He had to remind his disciples that he was merely God’s mouthpiece, and not the Messiah. He even told them he was not worthy of untying Jesus' sandals.

 

Most of his life must have been happier than my family having ice cream. (Yes, I am sure John did not enjoy his beheading!)

 

My kids announced the coming of the ice cream man. John the Baptist announced the coming of Jesus, the Messiah.

 

We are a lot like John the Baptist. We have an awesome responsibility. We can also be the Church’s, that is God’s, mouthpiece.  

 

John told the world that Jesus is coming and what he would be doing. We get to tell the world that Jesus has come, and what he has done for us. And Jesus has done a lot for us.

 

The forgiveness of sins. Bodily resurrection. Eternity in heaven.

 

It is even better than ice cream.

John, More Than A Prophet

                                                                 Matthew 11: 2-11

Have you noticed that when Jesus was asked questions He seemed to indirectly respond as to make the listener dig deep within himself to understand His response? Jesus often used parables and figurative language to illustrate his point, and at times answered a question with a question.

In Matthew 11, John the Baptist was in prison and heard what Jesus was doing, so he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who has come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

Before Jesus’ appearance, in John 1, John the Baptist was approached by priests and Levites from Jerusalem sent by the Jews to inquire about who he was. When asked directly, John stated that he was neither the Christ nor Elijah, but then he proceeded to tell them, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Elijah said.”

How could John have understood and been so comfortable in his role? Surely he was not born with the name John the Baptist. It is unlikely that as he was growing up his parents told him he would be cleansing the sins of man in the Jordan River. He followed the spirit of God to the place he felt he belonged.

Jesus said of John in Matthew 11:11 “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist….” 

As we grow and develop our interests and talents, we too must seek our purpose in the Lord. For some it seems easy, and they fall into their niche quite early in life. Others of us either ignore the nudging of the Lord or amidst the noise and commotion of this world do not make ourselves still to listen for our calling. No matter when we wake ourselves up to our purpose though, it is not too late. The arms of the Lord are always open to a “good and faithful servant.” 

Read/Listen to Matthew 11: 2-11

A Trumpet is Born

In Medieval times, before the king made an announcement, trumpets often times were played.  It was part of the pomp and circumstance of the king‘s court, but it was also a sign that something important was about to be said, so it was best to “pay attention.”

Jesus was the greatest king to ever walk the earth. Very humble, he let others tell of his divine heritage. For instance, Angels were God’s messengers who told the shepherds of the birth of the Son of God, our Savior (Luke 2:11).

Today’s reading, Luke 1:57-66, is about another of God’s messengers, John the Baptist, who shared the news of the coming Christ with the world. Although everyone thought this messenger would be named Zechariah, when he was born, his mother and father named him John. (Zechariah the Baptist just doesn’t have the proper ring to it, does it?)

John is a rather common name, but John had anything but a common job. He may be history’s most important trumpet, telling us to “pay attention”!

His ministry of repentance reminded people that they were sinners and unable to earn their way to heaven. John sounded the trumpet, rather loudly, saying Jesus would soon be coming. Jesus would see to it that believers would be baptized with the Holy Spirit and would be members of the Kingdom of Heaven. Effectively, John was telling people to “pay attention” to this man Jesus.

When John baptized someone with water, it was a sign that a sinner repented and had “paid attention” to his message.

John the Baptist was Jesus’ trumpet for over 2 years. However, not everyone appreciated being told he was a sinner. King Herod eventually had John imprisoned and then beheaded.

We are all sinners and John is long gone. Fortunately, today God’s Word reminds us of our need for a savior. And even more fortunately, God’s Word also tells us Jesus is that Savior!

As John the Baptist would say, “Pay attention.”

The Story – Chapter 23 – Jesus’ Ministry Begins

Watch  "Who Am I" and this will make Amazing sense.

John Chapters 3 and 4

John chapters 3 and 4 hold many significant messages! The first section in Chapter 3 is titled “Jesus Teaches Nicodemus.” This Nicodemus fellow reminds me of me in ways. He went to Jesus at night when no one else was around. Nicodemus acknowledged Jesus as a teacher who had come from God. He inquired about how a grown man could be born again. His question seems surface and even quite silly. Nicodemus said, “How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”

When I began my true and sincere walk with the Lord and started spending time in the bible, I too had many questions that likely sounded immature and unaware, but that’s exactly what I was. We all began there, no matter what our age. Nicodemus was an important member of the religious ruling class yet understood very little. We all have much to learn, and if we pay attention we will find that the more we know, the more we know we don’t know. Perhaps that’s why we are called “children of God,” and the reason He says we must be like children in our beliefs. Mark 10:15 "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." The Lord knows we will never be able to fully understand because of our limited human mind within this earthly realm. Seeking His heavenly world in awe and wonder as a child however, is what God wants of us.

John 3 is the place in the bible where one of the most famous verses appears. The Journey (A Bible for Seeking God and Understanding Life) states: This one sentence contains the greatest message from the greatest source, describing the greatest love, demonstrated by the greatest sacrifice ever given. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son; that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3 concludes with John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus. Because he was there before Jesus, and baptizing, when Jesus arrived on the scene, many went to John asking about Jesus. John reminded them; “You yourselves can testify that I said, I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him………He must become greater, I must become less.” As John the Baptist, we are here to acknowledge the Lord, and as we help to spread His word, give all the honor and glory to Him as we become less. It is not about us, but about He who sent us. We are but a vapor in the wind. It has nothing to do with what we've done,  and everything to do with who He is. 

Listen and watch “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns

Read or Listen to John 3 and 4 

This is Not A Competion John 3:25-36

At first glance of today’s scripture I want to chuckle. John the Baptists disciples are complaining because more people are going to Jesus to be baptized then they are John. It seems ridiculous to me that they would feel they are in competition with the King of kings. Of course when you think about it they did not really know who Jesus was, even though John had explained to them that, “‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.”

We have no excuse though today. We know Christ is the Messiah. We understand that He is the way, the truth, and the life yet so many still feel they are in competition with Him. As a youth director I would get families who were upset when we had a youth Bible Study during the week. They would say that their child was already too busy with school activities and now they had this to add to their calendar.

I may be hitting a nerve here, but think about what I am saying. Are Bible studies, or worship services something we have to add to our calendar? Do they get in the way of the other things we want or need to do? If so then we are too busy. Christ is not the one getting in the way of our life. Life gets in the way of our relationship with Christ.

I am not saying we need to be at church every night of the week, if that was true then we would never have an opportunity to tell others about Christ. I am saying though, that if we don’t have time to spend with Him because we are too busy, we don’t really know who the Messiah is.

Ready today's passage at Biblegateway John 3:25-36

Stop The World, I Want To Get Off Matthew 14:1-21

When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully—someone saw him and the word got around. Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. (-Matthew 14:13-14 The Message)

Do you ever just wish the world would stop so you could catch your breath? I’ve been told that moving, marriage and a new job are the three most stressful things a person experiences. My husband and I did all three of those things in a matter of months. I remember thinking I needed a vacation from life after we were finally settled.

My mom has recently been caring for my father who is dying from cancer. Her life has changed so drastically that I can only imagine the strain she is starting to feel, yet she lives each day with a desire to serve my father and glorify God. She is an inspiration to me.

Jesus understands how we feel. Shortly after finding out about his cousin’s execution, Jesus tried to slip away only to be followed by over five thousand sick and hungry people. He didn’t send everyone away as many of us would have been tempted to do. No, he stuck around and healed the sick and fed the masses.

Life can be hard. There are days when we need a break, and that is ok. But there are also going to be seasons of life with sadness and stress that we can’t escape, when those times come remember Jesus understands and He will give you the strength you need to endure.

Read today's passage at Biblegateway Matthew 14:1-21

There Are No Bad Questions Matthew 11:2-19

I remember the first time I met someone who didn’t believe in God. I was about eleven years old and on summer vacation with my family. I was talking with a couple other vacationing kids about God, when a local boy told me he didn’t believe in God. I remember feeling shocked and saddened that someone actually had no faith in God.

I also remember my own questions after encountering the young atheist. I asked myself why I believed so easily and wondered what if God didn’t exist. My questions didn’t scare me, but they needed answers.

This reminds me of our passage today. John the Baptist is in prison and has sent some of his disciples to make sure that Jesus is The Christ. If John simply asked the questions to himself while sitting alone in a jail cell, he could have been left feeling very alone and afraid. Instead he put action to his questions, and in turn he got answers.

When asked with the heart to find answers, questions can actually make our faith stronger. They only weaken our faith when left hanging. I remember asking my pastor some of the questions I had that summer. He didn’t laugh at me, thinking me young or naïve. He sat with me, opened the Bible and prayed with me. We sought the answers together.

Just as Jesus reassured John though the message he sent back with his disciple, Jesus reassures those who seek answers today through his word, the Holy Spirit and other believers. Do you have faith questions? Go ahead ask.

Read today's passage at Biblegateway Matthew 11:2-19