Did you all have a good Christmas? How many of you saw family? Had aunts, uncles, cousins in?
In the Bible we are introduced to Jesus’ cousin. . .does anyone know who that is? (Note: if you aren't giving this near a holiday, you could show them a genealogy chart and talk about members of your family and then segway to members of Jesus' family.)
That’s right John the Baptist.
We have two stories of Jesus and John the Baptist in the Bible. The first time they meet is actually before they are even born. Jesus’ mother, Mary, goes to stay with her cousin, Elizabeth, who is also pregnant.
"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (Luke 1: 39-45, NIV)
We do not hear about the two being together again until Jesus is a grown man and is being baptized. John had been preaching about the coming of Savior. He is telling people to repent for their sins and is performing baptisms.
As people began to wonder if he may be the Messiah or Savior, John the Baptist told them, “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1: 7-8, NIV)
Finally, one day as he baptized people, his cousin came to him to baptized.
Can you imagine if Jesus came to you and asked you to pray with him, or teach him, or introduce him to your friends? How would you react?
Well, like you, John thought, I can’t do this, I can’t baptize the Savior and he said to Jesus, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me” (Matthew 3:14, NIV)
Jesus asked him to continue and to baptize him. And so in the river, Jesus walked. John baptized him and as he came up, “a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 3: 16-17, NIV)
And with this action, the public ministry of Jesus that we read about in the New Testament began.
I will tell you a secret that there is more to the ministry of John the Baptist in the Bible. I would encourage you to read more when you go home today . . .as he also gives his life for Christianity.
Before I my words of prayer are said, I fold my hands and bow my head:
Dear God, There are many times in my life that I may feel insignificant and small. A minister or President or a great sportsman may seem so able. My part may seem lost or unneeded. Please help me know how important my life is in Your plan. That without a congregation a minister need not speak, without a country, a President need not lead, without a team, one great sportsman can do nothing. Remind me of John the Baptist and his calling to make the ways straight for the coming of Jesus.
Amen
betcha haven’t
15 years ago
