(Chapter 47) God so Loved the World that He Gave His Son:

God so Loved the World that He Gave His Son: The greatest Spiritual battle ever fought – part forty one

In last week’s post, I ended up by saying, “The Holy Spirit assures me in my spirit that we are just getting started in this post.” It is now one week later, and I am interested in finding out what the Lord had in mind when He prompted me to write, “There is much more to come! Stay tuned!” So… here we go!

The details of the life of John the Baptist give us some clear direction in how Christians of today should conduct our lives. First let’s see what Jesus himself had to say about John. I believe you will conclude that John was held in high esteem by the Lord Jesus Christ:

Matthew 11:7-11 (NIV)
⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ ¹¹ I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

1. Did John the Baptist do ministry in his life that was of a Spiritual nature? He sure did!
   
   Matthew 3:1-3 (NIV)
   ¹ In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” ³ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'”
   
2. Did John the Baptist get involved in the corrupt government of his day? He sure did!
   
   Mark 6:17-20 (NIV)
   ¹⁷ For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. ¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” ¹⁹ So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, ²⁰ because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
    
3. Was it dangerous for John the Baptist to confront King Herod about marrying his brother Philip’s wife? It sure was!
   
   Mark 6:22-28 (NIV)
   ²² When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” ²³ And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” ²⁴ She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered. ²⁵ At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” ²⁶ The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. ²⁷ So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, ²⁸ and brought back his head on a platter.
    
4. Could it be dangerous if we get involved in the corrupt happenings in our government of today? Yes! There’s no doubt about it! There could be repercussions if we call out the corruption; however, it’s doubtful that it would be as severe as John the Baptist’s!

      1 John 4:4 (NIV)
        ⁴ You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Stay tuned, more next week!