Through My Bible: "The Ministry of John The Baptist"
JOHN THE BAPTIST
Tonight, Wednesday, October 11, join your Calvary Chapel family for coffee at 6:00 p.m. in the Holy Ground Cafe, followed by worship at 7:00 p.m. in the main sanctuary or online at www.calvaryinv.com, on Facebook, or on YouTube (Calvary Inverness). We’ll continue our journey through the New Testament with the Gospel of Luke (3:1-38).
Luke wrote that Gabriel visited Zacharias, a Levite recently called to minister at the Temple in Jerusalem, and told him that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would conceive a son named John.
The angel told Zacharias that John would be great in the Lord's sight, filled with the Holy Spirit while still in the womb, and would prepare Israel for the coming of their Messiah—fulfilling the promise God made to His friend Abraham.
Years later, during a dark period in Israel’s history, John appears from the wilderness and fulfills the prophecy given to his Father. He is unlike any other prophet Israel had encountered.
John’s preaching was straightforward. He didn’t pull any punches. His message was to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins, or to reject his message and suffer the fiery judgment of a righteous and just God.
People came from everywhere to hear him. Religious leaders, soldiers, tax collectors, and people from every socioeconomic background traveled to the Jordan River. Many who listened were convicted to their core and cried out to John, asking what they needed to do.
The major difference between John and all the other Old Testament prophets was that he was the first to preach the Gospel, the Good News, about the coming Messiah.
When asked whether he was the Messiah, John quickly dismissed the idea, stating unequivocally that he wasn’t worthy to loosen His sandals. He then proclaimed at the top of his lungs that the coming Messiah would baptize or immerse them not in water but with the Holy Spirit and fire.
One day, as he was preaching, the One he had been speaking of, Jesus of Nazareth, came out of the crowd and told John that He had come to be baptized. At first, John refused, but when Jesus reminded him that it was necessary to fulfill the Scriptures, John acquiesced and accosted His request.
Jesus entered the water, and as He prayed, the heavens opened, a dove appeared over Him, and a voice from above spoke, confirming that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah and the hope of Israel and all of mankind.
Luke further establishes Jesus of Nazareth as Israel’s Messiah, tracing His maternal lineage through Mary back to Adam. What a wonderful reminder that Jesus has come to save the Jews and the Gentiles alike.
I’m excited to continue this journey with you through all twenty-seven books of the New Testament, trusting that we’ll all be transformed as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.
In His Strong Love,
Pastor