The Final Mission of John the Baptist: Luke 3:18-20
“18) So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people. 19) But when Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the wicked things which Herod had done, 20) Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.” Luke 3:18-20
God raises His servants up for a purpose. When their mission is fulfilled, He has ways of taking them out of the way.
Many times it’s aging and natural death. Sometimes it’s a move to another location or ministry. Often it involves handing the baton to the next generation as illustrated by Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha and even Paul passing the baton to Timothy and others.
In the case of John the Baptist, he was only six months older than Jesus. But he faithfully fulfilled his calling of preparing the way for the Messiah.
According to John 3:22-36, John clearly understood that he had to decrease so Jesus could increase. He was not about to compete for the spotlight. He had fulfilled his calling and purpose of introducing Jesus to Israel.
According to Matthew 14:1-12, there was one more vital mission for John the Baptist. He had to preach righteousness to non other than Herod the tetrarch. He had to confront him about his open adultery.
This mission would cost John his life. But God had no other man who would not shrink away from declaring truth and righteous. John became a righteous plumb line and Martyr for the kingdom of God.
Sin and evil must be confronted in every generation. Part of the role of the pulpit in society is to become a standard for truth and righteousness. When preachers shrink away from declaring Gods Word and the standards of righteousness, evil and darkness takes over the land.
Revival and awakening always involves a return to truth and the ways of God. Repentance cannot happen when righteousness is not openly proclaimed.
John’s message was not received well by Herod. But John ended his calling by faithfully knocking down immoral mountains and filling in valleys of sin and darkness. He died defending truth and preparing the way for the Messiah.
This text speaks volumes to Christian leaders today. They are called to be a plum line of truth within society. Every prophet of God in the Bible fulfilled this role. Jesus was eventually crucified for the same reason.
Darkness always hates the light, but woe to that church or society that forsakes truth, righteousness and the light of the gospel! If the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“18) So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people. 19) But when Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the wicked things which Herod had done, 20) Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.” Luke 3:18-20
God raises His servants up for a purpose. When their mission is fulfilled, He has ways of taking them out of the way.
Many times it’s aging and natural death. Sometimes it’s a move to another location or ministry. Often it involves handing the baton to the next generation as illustrated by Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha and even Paul passing the baton to Timothy and others.
In the case of John the Baptist, he was only six months older than Jesus. But he faithfully fulfilled his calling of preparing the way for the Messiah.
According to John 3:22-36, John clearly understood that he had to decrease so Jesus could increase. He was not about to compete for the spotlight. He had fulfilled his calling and purpose of introducing Jesus to Israel.
According to Matthew 14:1-12, there was one more vital mission for John the Baptist. He had to preach righteousness to non other than Herod the tetrarch. He had to confront him about his open adultery.
This mission would cost John his life. But God had no other man who would not shrink away from declaring truth and righteous. John became a righteous plumb line and Martyr for the kingdom of God.
Sin and evil must be confronted in every generation. Part of the role of the pulpit in society is to become a standard for truth and righteousness. When preachers shrink away from declaring Gods Word and the standards of righteousness, evil and darkness takes over the land.
Revival and awakening always involves a return to truth and the ways of God. Repentance cannot happen when righteousness is not openly proclaimed.
John’s message was not received well by Herod. But John ended his calling by faithfully knocking down immoral mountains and filling in valleys of sin and darkness. He died defending truth and preparing the way for the Messiah.
This text speaks volumes to Christian leaders today. They are called to be a plum line of truth within society. Every prophet of God in the Bible fulfilled this role. Jesus was eventually crucified for the same reason.
Darkness always hates the light, but woe to that church or society that forsakes truth, righteousness and the light of the gospel! If the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
