Wow, what would it have been like to meet John the Baptist in real life? From what I just read in Matthew 3, I think that meeting John would have been intense and intimidating! Subtlety does not seem to be John’s strong suit.
I, for better or worse, prefer conversation rather than confrontation. While I have no problem being direct, speaking confrontationally is my last resort. That’s why John the Baptist is a bit of a challenge for me.
Even though one of the fundamental principles of reading the Bible is that the characters are illustrations of what living a life of faith can look like (as opposed to being examples that we are supposed to emulate), there is still value in learning from the lives of others. John the Baptist is a great example of this.
Like John, are you and I willing to speak bluntly if necessary? When it comes to issues of truth and error, will we stand up for truth? When it comes to ethics and morality, will we speak what we believe to be biblical and true? Or will we play it safe and simply watch relationships, actions, and spirituality deteriorate around us?
May 2015 be the year that you and I have courage to clearly point to Jesus, as John the Baptist did over 2,000 years ago!
Mark
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