Wednesday
Have you ever really thought about this description of John the Baptist?
“John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locust and wild honey.” Sounds like a crazy man to me. Eating locusts? Yuck!?! Ranting and raving?!? And yet people went out to see him. wonder why? Look at the description of Elijah in 2 Kings 1:8, “He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist.” Do you suppose they thought that John was Elijah the prophet? Or one like Elijah?
Jesus says this about John in Matthew 11:7-14, “As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.”
Coming from Jesus, I would have to say these are some pretty awesome words of praise and recognition for his place in the world. Apparently the crowds saw, heard and/or felt that something significant was happening through John’s ministry. John says himself that he is not the Messiah, that his mission was to call people to repentance and to point the way to Jesus.
So let me ask you; who are the “John the Baptists” in your life, people that have helped point you to Jesus? That have prepared the way for the Lord to enter into your life? Maybe you should take a moment to thank them or praise God for them.
Now…, who are the people that you are helping to point the way to Christ?
Shalom
Pastor Kathy