Apicontent

“Jesus said to him, ‘Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’ He continued, ‘I tell all of you the solemn truth—you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’” —John 1:50–51

Jesus’ words to Nathanael remind me of the Paul’s words to the Corinthians:

“But just as it is written, ‘Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.’ God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.’” —1 Corinthians 2:9–10

Nathanael is surprised over Jesus’ knowledge of him, yet Jesus confirms to him that this is a mere drop in the bucket compared to what he is going to see. “You will see greater things than these” is the promise given by our Savior and one that, as believers, we can apply to our own lives as well. Jesus tells His disciples:

“Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, but if you do not believe me, believe because of the miraculous deeds themselves. I tell you the solemn truth, the person who believes in me will perform the miraculous deeds that I am doing, and will perform greater deeds than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” —John 14:11–13

Every true believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit who equips and empowers us for the good works which God has ordained for us to do. To be a part of God’s work for the kingdom is the highest calling—it is our greatest purpose. God’s desire is to be glorified both in us and through us. He does this by changing us from the inside out through the surrender of our will to the power of His Holy Spirit—one surrender at a time. He never forces us to follow Him. However, we become more like Jesus by each surrender to the Holy Spirit’s prompting—we become less and He becomes greater.

Jesus’ next words to Nathanael commanded Nathanael’s attention: “I tell all of you the solemn truth.” Jesus wanted Nathanael to have no doubt in his mind as to the truth of what he was saying. Regarding heaven being open and angels ascending and descending upon Jesus was an indication that Jesus would now be man’s access to heaven. Jesus was referring here to Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28. The stairway on earth going to heaven, with the angels ascending and descending on it as heaven communicating with earth, would now be replaced by Jesus as the divine communication. The Son of man would now be God’s link with the earth.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” —Luke 19:10

“So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” —Hebrews 7:25–26

“But Jesus was silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” —Matthew 26:63–64

Become More

God has more prepared for each one of than we can ever imagine. Start paying attention each day to all that He is doing in and through you.

“The greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.” —William Booth

“When we can do nothing, Jesus can do all things; let us enlist His powerful aid upon our side, and all will be well.” —Charles Spurgeon

Further Reflections

“Whatever revelations Christ is pleased to make of himself here in this world, he has still greater things than these to make known to them.” —Matthew Henry

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen.” —Romans 11:33–36

Nathanael replied, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip replied, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and exclaimed, “Look, a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit!”
Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel!” —John 1:46–49

Words filled with skepticism, criticism, and sarcasm flow so easily out of mouths. Careless, critical, caustic words bring death to the hearer, destroying hopes and dreams and relationships in the wake of their destructive path. Words that bring life, which edify, encourage, and exhort, should mark every believer’s mouth. Proverbs tells us:

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” —Proverbs 16:24

James says that we are incapable of training that little two-inch sword which rests behind our incisors, and that our words are simply a manifestation of what lies within our hearts:

“But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” —James 3:8

This means that we do not begin with our mouths when dealing with this problem. We must go to the source; we must begin with the heart. Jesus tells us in Scripture:

“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for his mouth speaks from what fills his heart.” —Luke 6:45

Our words matter to God! I wonder if, after being confronted with the truth, Nathanael wished he had not uttered those words of skepticism. You can almost feel his sarcastic, biting, fault finding, and know-it-all attitude just by reading his doubting words. Yet Jesus, who is aware of the unseen life, knows Nathanael’s heart, and delivers a commendation to him that is just so Jesus! Fleshing out Romans before our eyes, He gently leads Nathanael to the truth, providing for us a wonderful example of how we are to respond to negative verbiage in our own lives:

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” —Romans 12:21

Jesus commends Nathanael not to simply flatter him with empty words, but perhaps to focus on his strengths, highlighting and encouraging the good rather than hitting him over the head with a two-by-four regarding his flaws. Jesus knew Nathanael to be a modest man who sincerely professed the faith of Israel and put into practice what he professed. Jesus’ words surprise Nathanael and perhaps take him a bit off guard. A loving response often does that to people. We are so accustomed to receiving complaints and criticism that when we come face to face with true love it can be a bit disarming. What a tremendous example Jesus sets for us regarding the critical caustics in our own lives. The response Jesus received from Nathanael confirmed how firmly now he believed the truth in his heart as he freely confessed Christ’s prophetic office as Rabbi and His divine nature and mission by calling Him the Son of God and the King of Israel.

Become More

Each one of us must guard our words by guarding our hearts. Those words can speak life or death to our hearers.

“I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” —Matthew 12:36–37

Ask your heavenly Father to fill your heart with his love and grace so that your words may edify others.

Further Reflections

“Some people seem to have such a passion for righteousness that they have no room left for compassion for those who have failed.” —Charles Allen

“Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, and learning.” —Frederick Faber

“Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah!’ (which is translated Christ). Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon, the son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter). 
“On the next day Jesus wanted to set out for Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ (Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter.) Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law, and the prophets also wrote about—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’” —John 1:40–45

Ever had some really good news that you were busting at the seams to share? The arrival of a new baby, the marriage of a child, a job promotion, an unexpected call or visit by someone you love—you name the good news—whatever it may be—and chances are you will want to share it.

This is exactly what we find in our verses for today. Both Andrew and Philip, having found Jesus, had to make it known! Andrew is convinced of the truth of Jesus, and those who are convinced cannot help but share especially with those nearest and dearest to them. Paul tells us:

“For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised.” —2 Corinthians 5:14

“I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. Thus I am eager also to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, ‘The righteous by faith will live.’” —Romans 1:14–17

A heart filled with Jesus will spill out to others in both words and in deeds. So excited over his discovery of the Messiah, Andrew brings Simon to Jesus. Next, Philip is found by the Messiah and subsequently shares the good news with Nathanael, unable to keep quiet over this wonderful truth he has discovered. The One on whom we have so long been waiting and wishing—He has come, He has come, we have found Him! What an experience of pure joy!

Become More

The wonderful news of Jesus is exciting to share. Because we have freely received, we must also freely give.

Share your Good News!

“Nothing taken for granted; everything received with gratitude; everything passed on with grace.” —G. K. Chesterton

Further Reflections

“He is your friend who pushes you nearer to God.” —Abraham Kuyper

“One man with beliefs is equal to a thousand with only interests.” —John Stuart Mill

“There is no joy in the world like the joy of bringing one soul to Christ.” —William Barclay

“Again the next day John was standing there with two of his disciples. Gazing at Jesus as he walked by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ When John’s two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 
“Jesus turned around and saw them following and said to them, ‘What do you want?’ So they said to him, ‘Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are you staying?’
“Jesus answered, ‘Come and you will see.’ So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.” —John 1:35–39

Here we have John the Baptist standing among two of his own disciples as he takes note of Jesus passing by. John, with his intense, steadfast focus on Christ, announces to his hearers: “Look, the Lamb of God!” The wording here depicts the fullness of God’s perfect timing through the actions of John and Jesus—John standing as Jesus passes by.

I am reminded of the command given in Hebrews calling each one of us to this same steadfast focus on Christ:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up.” —Hebrews 12:1–3

Notice the two disciples turn from following John to following Jesus. How natural that must have seemed for them as John’s teaching to his disciples was the basis for their conduct. John’s mantra was, “He must become greater; I must become less.” His disciples were eager to follow Jesus.

Observe how Jesus takes notice of the two followers: “What do you want?” Jesus is always aware of a soul’s motion toward Him. He is constantly asking us to look into our own hearts. Jesus is always asking questions: What do you want? What is it that you desire—a Teacher, a Ruler, a Lord? What are your intentions—your motives—behind your movement to follow Him? These disciples coming to Jesus were desirous to be His students. The wording used here depicts their eagerness to be better acquainted with Him, believers, accepting His instruction, making that instruction their rule of conduct. He says to them: “Come”—inviting them to come without delay. And just as He opened blind Bartimaeus’ eyes, He opened their eyes to see. Jesus is always willing to open the of those who come diligently seeking Him. There is never a better time than now to come to Jesus.

Become More

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” —Matthew 11:28–30

Come to Jesus and follow Him!

Further Reflections

Some come only to Christ to have all their problems fixed, desirous of a rose-colored life with no rain clouds in sight. Others may come to Him overwhelmed in the fervor of emotion, moved perhaps by songs or sermons or sayings. Yet others follow Him to go deeper. Since it is only through Him that we are justified before God, we must come to Him in humility with the realization of our need, seeking His favor and eternal life.

“Then John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. And I did not recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining—this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.’” —John 1:32–34

Having been told what would happen, John the Baptist recognizes and takes note with reflection and acute interest the Holy Spirit descending from heaven and manifesting himself in the form of a dove and abiding on Jesus. So certain was he of what his ears had heard and now his eyes beheld that John the Baptist exclaimed with great assurance:

“I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.” —John 1:34

It must be overwhelming to experience what one has only been told and believed through faith and then subsequently be given the privilege to actually see it. At the end of the book of Job we find a similar situation where faith becomes sealed with sight:

“Then Job answered the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted; you asked, “Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?” But I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know. You said, “Pay attention, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.” I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen you. Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes!’” —Job 42:1–6

I am reminded of Peter’s response to Jesus’ question about who the disciples thought He was:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

And then Jesus replied to Peter: 

“You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven!” —Matthew 16:16–17

Just as with John the Baptist and Job, it was the Father in heaven who revealed this truth to Peter. It mattered not to them that Jesus was not clad in external pomp and grandeur; they were not ashamed to confess freely that Jesus was God’s Son.

Just as the prophet Isaiah had prophesized:

“He sprouted up like a twig before God, like a root out of parched soil; he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention, no special appearance that we should want to follow him. He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him; he was despised, and we considered him insignificant. But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed.” —Isaiah 53:2–5

John the Baptist tells us that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. John’s cleansing with water was one thing, but the cleansing that would be produced by the Holy Spirit would be totally different. After His suffering and resurrection, Jesus gave convincing proof to His followers that He was indeed alive and commanded them to wait for the gift of the promised Holy Spirit. Just as John identified people with himself through the baptism of water, now Jesus would identify His followers through the Holy Spirit bestowing upon them His gifts and graces and comforts. This is a confirmation of John’s words “I baptize you with water … but the one coming after me is more powerful than I am … He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11). 

Jesus confirms John’s message in the book of Acts:

“To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God. While he was with them, he declared, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised, which you heard about from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” —Acts 1:3–5

The Chosen One of God came to give us new life and to empower us to fulfill God’s purposes in the world!

Become More

Jesus was not what the people expected—they were looking for pomp and splendor. Likewise, we are not to be not what the world expects. Each one of us is to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, showing the humility and love of Jesus through our words and deeds.

Further Reflections

“Would you follow Christ? Then follow him in self-denial, in humility, in patience, and in readiness for every good work. Follow him with a daily cross upon your back, and look to his cross to make your burden light. Follow him as your Guide and Guard, and learn to see with his eyes, and to trust in his arm for defense. Follow him as the Friend of sinners, who healeth the broken in heart, and giveth rest to the weary souls, and casteth out none that come into him. Follow him with faith, resting your whole acceptance with God, and your title to heaven, on his meritorious blood and righteousness. Lastly, follow him with much prayer. For, though he is full of compassion, he loves to be much entreated; and when he is determined to give a blessing, you must yet wrestle with him for it. Thus follow Jesus, and he will lead you to glory.” —K. H. Von Bogatzky

“This is the one about whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is greater than I am, because he existed before me.’ I did not recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he could be revealed to Israel.” —John 1:30–31

John the Baptist had a message and that message was from God. He was privileged to reveal Jesus to God’s people. When God gives a man a message to proclaim, it burns within him until it is delivered. I am reminded of the prophet Jeremiah’s words regarding God’s word within him:

“Sometimes I think, ‘I will make no mention of his message. I will not speak as his messenger anymore.’ But then his message becomes like a fire locked up inside of me, burning in my heart and soul. I grow weary of trying to hold it in; I cannot contain it.” —Jeremiah 20:9

Later, God speaks through Jeremiah regarding the penetrating effectiveness of His word:

“Let the prophet who has had a dream go ahead and tell his dream. Let the person who has received my message report that message faithfully. What is like straw cannot compare to what is like grain! I, the LORD, affirm it. My message is like a fire that purges dross! It is like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces! I, the LORD, so affirm it!” —Jeremiah 23:28–29

Certainly, John the Baptist did not arrive on the scene to impress man. Dressed Bohemian style in camel hair and leather, dining on locust and wild honey, ministering in an obscure remote area, and proclaiming to the religious elite of the day an eye-opening, blistering message showed that he neither came to win a popularity contest nor tried to find favor with man. His approach was anything but “seeker friendly.” His straightforward message made people aware of their folly and then provided them with a remedy. He constantly pointed to Jesus. His passion was to awaken the dead and then offer them life.

“But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, and don’t think you can say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones! Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.’” —Matthew 3:7–10

“The crowds were asking him, ‘What then should we do?’ John answered them, ‘The person who has two tunics must share with the person who has none, and the person who has food must do likewise.’
“Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He told them, ‘Collect no more than you are required to.’
“Then some soldiers also asked him, ‘And as for us—what should we do?’ He told them, ‘Take money from no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your pay.’” —Luke 3:10–14

Yet, despite his difficult message, John the Baptist still had a large following. Matthew tells us crowds were arriving constantly to be baptized by him:

“Then people from Jerusalem, as well as all Judea and all the region around the Jordan, were going out to him, and he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.” —Matthew 3:5–6

The truth consistently preached and draws God’s people because it always accomplishes God’s purposes.

Become More

Each one of us is called to reveal Jesus. This does not mean only missionaries, preachers, and Sunday school teachers. All believers are called to reveal Jesus, whether it be in our homes, or in our workplaces, or among our friends, or even among our enemies. Wherever God places us, we are to show forth Jesus. We do this by dying to our own ambitions and allowing the Holy Spirit to manifest Jesus’ life through our lives. It is an emptying of self, a filling of Him, and a spilling out to those we daily encounter.

Further Reflections

“But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it. Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.” —Colossians 3:8–12

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” —Galatians 5:22–23

“On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” —John 1:29

In love, God abolished the payment for sin and its wretched control over man through the blood of Jesus the Lamb of God. Through Jesus, God provided the way for the sinner to be spared for those who would believe in His Son. Jesus was sent by the Father that He might be the Savior of men. God made Jesus sin for us to save us and to once again restore our relationship with Him, allowing us access into His presence through prayer and unshackling our chains from the bondage of sin and its deadly effects. Paul puts it this way:

“And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, ‘Be reconciled to God!’ God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.” —2 Corinthians 5:18–21

John the Baptist calls us to look at Jesus, the precious Lamb who takes away the sin of this world, desiring for us to increase our hatred of sin and our love for our Lord Jesus. Notice that John uses the word “takes” instead of “taken.” This implies a continuous action; Jesus is continuously taking away sin as we turn to Him in repentance. 

John saw Jesus as the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sin of the world by taking that sin upon himself on the cross. Therefore, sin is no longer to be the habitual way of life for the believer in Christ. Continued sin is the product of ignorance and blindness towards God and all He has done for us. It clearly demonstrates our lack of love and appreciation for Him for even men do not think highly of a love that never shows itself in action.

“And you know that Jesus was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. Everyone who resides in him does not sin; everyone who sins has neither seen him nor known him.” —1 John 3:5–6

“Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?” —2 Corinthians 6:14

“He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.” —1 John 2:2

Become More

“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him.” —John 3:16–17

Are you truly living your life in the freedom you have through the saving grace of Jesus?

Further Reflections

“Sin will yield to nothing less potent than the blood of Him whom God hath set forth as a propitiation.” —C. H. Spurgeon

“The genius of Christianity takes the words of Paul ‘who gave himself for our sins’ as true and efficacious. We are not to look upon our sins as insignificant trifles. On the other hand, we are not to regard them as so terrible that we must despair. Learn to believe that Christ was given not for picayune [petty] and imaginary transgressions, but for mountainous sins; not for one or two, but for all; not for sins that can be discarded, but for sins that are stubbornly ingrained.” —Martin Luther

[John said], “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not recognize, who is coming after me. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal!” —John 1:26–27

Humility is certainly an endearing and disarming character trait, is it not? True humility such as John the Baptist demonstrates in our verses for today attracts attention and points people to Jesus. Standing in familiar territory on the side of the Jordan, among throngs of people who flocked to him, John demonstrates to us what it means to become less while Jesus becomes more. His actions provide for us a wonderful example of “dying to self.” Not easy to do then, certainly not easy to do now, yet that is what Jesus calls each one of us to do:

“Then he [Jesus] said to them all, ‘If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself?’” —Luke 9:23–25

Jesus’ words are worth contemplating. This same command appears in all four gospels (and repetition in Scripture is always an indication that we need to pay attention).

Have you ever noticed how a braggart will often tone down his boasting when in the presence of the truly humble? Boasting exhibits the insecurity in our lives while true humility demonstrates our security and standing in Christ. We are told in Scripture that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble:

“In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” —1 Peter 5:5

Indeed, God sets himself against the arrogant yet grants favor and acceptance to the humble of heart. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians:

“For who concedes you any superiority? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not?” —1 Corinthians 4:7

We must be particularly on guard if bestowed with strength or power or possessions or authority, lest our hearts become lifted up to our own destruction, remembering always that pride is an insidious monster often grabbing hold of us unaware with its long tentacles and strangling the very life out from us. We find in Isaiah:

“My hand made them; that is how they came to be,” says the Lord. “I show special favor to the humble and contrite, who respect what I have to say.” —Isaiah 66:2

Become More

“A primary qualification for serving God with any amount of success, and for doing God’s work well and triumphantly, is a sense of our own weakness. When God’s warrior marches forth to battle, strong in his own might, when he boasts, ‘I know that I shall conquer, my own right arm and my conquering sword shall get unto me the victory,’ defeat is not far distant. God will not go forth with that man who marches in his own strength. He who reckoneth on victory thus has reckoned wrongly, for ‘it is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.’ They who go forth to fight, boasting of their prowess, shall return with their gay banners trailed in the dust, and their armour stained with disgrace. Those who serve God must serve Him in His own way, and in His strength, or He will never accept their service. That which man doth, unaided by divine strength, God can never own.” —C. H. Spurgeon

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a spirit of humility.

Further Reflections

“Whatever knowledge or skill we may obtain in the schools of human learning, the Scripture does not yet allow us to be truly wise, but calls us blind and mere worldly students, till we learn to be poor in spirit, lowly in heart, and dead to the world. Therefore, the more a man dies to this world, the more is he enlightened.” —K. H. Von Bogatzky

“I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.” —Oswald Chambers

“Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Tell us so that we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ John said, ‘I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, “Make straight the way for the Lord,” as the prophet Isaiah said.’” —John 1:22–23

Quoting from Isaiah, John the Baptist gives his job description to the questioning Jewish leaders of his day who demanded an explanation about himself.

These leaders were basically sent to get to the bottom of John’s actions. Isaiah tells us this about him:

“A voice cries out, ‘In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord; build a level road through the rift valley for our God.’” —Isaiah 40:3

The word translated “voice” in verse 23 of our verses for today is from the Greek word phone meaning a sound or tone made or given forth; a thunderous trumpet cry of a man used here in delivering God’s message. Of this word Plutarch said, “That which brings light upon that which is thought of in the mind.”

John the Baptist was sent to bring light to that which was on God’s mind and heart—a clarion call drawing the people back to Him. Malachi 3:1 also prophesizes a messenger to be sent by God to prepare the way. Jesus quoted this verse in Matthew and said it was being fulfilled in John the Baptist:

“This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’” —Matthew 11:10

True prophets were “voices” sent to bring messages from God—messages meant to call the people back to Him. God’s great desire is to get us out of wandering in the desert and bring us into the fullness of a right relationship with Him. There is consistent dryness that accompanies a broken relationship with the Father.

God gets our attention to draw us to Him. The greatest demonstration of love toward man was about to be accomplished and God wanted His people ready: “Prepare the way!” “Make straight the way!” Are we not to be about the same in anticipation of His return? Are we not to watch our life and doctrine closely; turning to God for cleansing; listening to His persistent love call; being as prepared for His return as His desire for His people to be prepared for His first advent? This is not a trite matter, rather a hugely important one. Jesus warns us in Matthew:

“Therefore stay alert, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have been alert and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” —Matthew 24:42–44

Become More

We want to be faithful and wise servants that are ready on His return! It matters greatly how we live our lives, both for our benefit now and for His ultimate return.

“Let this be a warning to me, O Lord. Set thou a guard before my eyes, ears, and other faculties, lest the world again should enter through these avenues of the heart: if the spark be not speedily extinguished, it will soon break out into a flame: thus sin is of a progressive nature, and its venom spreads very quickly and very wide, unless it be stopped and opposed in time. Watch, therefore, over this unsteady heart of mine, O thou Keeper of Israel; that as soon as it begins to wander from thee, I may be alarmed to flee from sin as from a serpent. Give me grace to look upon every hour as my last; so that being ever wisely upon my guard I may meet thee with joy when my time is run out, whenever it shall please thee to call me hence.” —K. H. Von Bogatzky

Further Reflections

“Serious and sincere repentance routes us back into God’s will.” —Robert J. Morgan

“The voice of God is a friendly voice. No one need fear to listen to it unless he has already made up his mind to resist it.” —A.W. Tozer

“Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ 
“He confessed—he did not deny but confessed—‘I am not the Christ!’
“So they asked him, ‘Then who are you? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not!’
“‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No!’” —John 1:19–21

John the Baptist’s influential ministry began to raise the eyebrows of the Jewish leadership of his day. Indeed, his message began causing such a stir that the authorities in Jerusalem sent delegates to question him, “Just who are you?” You can only imagine the prodding he received. It reminds me of the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid when they were being relentlessly pursued by a group of bounty hunters that they were unable to shake. The gang asked themselves a similar question: “Who are those guys?” These prominent Jewish leaders should have known full well from prophecy that John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Christ rather than sitting and scratching their heads in wonder.

It was so like John the Baptist to not only confess but to confess freely that he was not the Christ. The greatness of this forerunner of Jesus is found in John’s own words to his disciples when they came to him with questions regarding Jesus’ growing popularity. The crowds were beginning to follow Jesus instead of John!

“John replied, ‘No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, “I am not the Christ,” but rather, “I have been sent before him.” The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This then is my joy, and it is complete. He must become more important while I become less important. The one who comes from above is superior to all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is superior to all.’” —John 3:27–31

John the Baptist did not come upon the scene to present himself as some great leader. While his spirit, his conversation, and his doctrine of repentance commanded respect, he had no intention of elevating himself to a lofty position. Dressed in camel hair and eating locusts and wild honey, he was more interested in doing good than appearing great. How necessary that thought and action are in modern-day disciples of Jesus as well. Oftentimes it is we who find ourselves in the limelight (and unfortunately enjoying it I’m afraid) rather than our Lord. However, it is He who is to be glorified and magnified.

John the Baptist also refused the honor of being called Elijah. However, he came in both the power and spirit of Elijah. Jesus said of John in the book of Matthew:

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Look, those who wear soft clothing are in the palaces of kings! What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet! This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is! From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John appeared. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who is to come. The one who has ears had better listen!” —Matthew 11:7–15

Become More

John the Baptist was a true prophet, filled with the Holy Spirit even from the womb, proclaiming God’s requirement of repentance, sent by God to be the forerunner of His Son, and an example of humble obedience to every follower of our Lord Jesus.

“He must become more important while I become less important.” —John 3:30

Keep the attention on Jesus!

Further Reflections

“Secular learning, honour, and power, seldom dispose men’s minds to the reception of divine light.” —Matthew Henry

“God’s faithful witnesses stand more on their guard against undue respect than against unjust contempt.” —Matthew Henry

“The greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.” —William Booth