Prayer:
Help us to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.
Again, you probably know the story – John's father Zechariah, was told by an angel that his wife Elizabeth would have a son in his old age and he was to be called John. If not, it can be read in Luke ch1. So we'll jump to why.
John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus, to have made a start to Jesus' preaching efforts. Often it is hard to be the first. The idea of the pioneer is something that many would try to shy away from. To start a conversation about Jesus is very difficult, but to join in one that is already under way is much easier. The same applies in the laws of physics; it's called the conservation of momentum – it's difficult to get an object rolling, but when it is, it's easier to keep it that way than to try to stop it abruptly.
It was John's job to get things moving, and as a result it took a special person with a special character. A few years ago I heard two sayings - “it you can or you can't, your right!” and “there's those who wish, and those who will”. Both apply to those with the sort of determination to get things done. John didn't just wish, but he had the strength of character to go right out and say what he meant. To put it bluntly, he was not politically correct, just correct!
I'm normally not the sort of person who would say something which would offend those I'm talking to (at least not on purpose), but John told them exactly what needed to be said. It was not the softly, softly approach, and wouldn't fit into any sort of public relations or customer care training that is run today, but it was what was needed.
To start a new religion (or at least get an existing one back on the right tracks, which is harder) requires a leader. John could have been that leader, but he knew that someone was to come after him, someone 'whose shoes he was not worthy to tie'. He had the sort of humility that was seen in Moses – he put the welfare of people first, even if it meant he had to be harsh in order to achieve what they needed, not necessarily what they wanted.
The world needs another 'John', and the Bible says that someone will again prepare the way for Jesus return. Perhaps that someone is you?
What did John do to help Jesus?
Why did John baptise people? What did it signify?
Can you think of any examples where John upset people, but it was for their benefit?
Why must 'Elijah come first' (before the second coming of Jesus)?
Something Harder:
Why did Jesus want to be baptised?