JOHN'S EXAMPLE AS HERALD OF HIS COMING
The voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. Every valley shall be made low.INTRODUCTION: St John The Baptist was one of the most enigmatic vendors of the message of the coming of the Messiah, our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. Here are some of the points that stand St John the Baptist out as a herald of Hus coming: HE WORSHIPPED CHRIST’S OMNIPOTENCE FROM THE WOMB: John couldn’t wait until he was born. In Luke 1:39-45 even inside the womb of Elizabeth, John was a worshipper of Christ’s Omnipotence.
H E U SE D ALTE R N ATIVE P U LPITS TO PROCLAIM CHRIST’S BIRTH: John could not use the Temple to proclaim Christ’s birth. He didn’t gave such access.He used the wilderness to proclaim the birth of Christ. We must not look for comfort Zones to proclaim Christ. Where opportunities do not exist, let us create them in order to continue with faithful proclamation. JOHN SAW THE DECADENCE IN THE WAYOF THE WORLD AND CALLED FOR A TOTAL CHANGE, IN RESP9NSE TO THE WAY OF THE LORD : Prepare ye the way of the Lord, he declared. Make His path straight . Let us be ready to update our proclamation strategies through personal repentance. JOHN WAS AN EXEMPLARY REVOLUTIONARY: He called people to a baptism of repentance. Baptism was not applicable to Jews but to Gentiles. John changed the meaning by involving even Jews in this message of divine transformation. From this we learn that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of GodRoman’s 3:23. JOHN MINISTERED DIRECTLY TO CHRIST: It was John who ministered baptism unto Jesus. He was not timid but saw that assignment as of utmost importance. Jesus persuaded him to do it to fulfill all unrighteous. He obeyed Christ and so should we. JOH N A C K NOWLE DGE D C H R IST’S SUPERIORITY:In John 3:30, John boldly confessed that, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John openly acknowledged Christ’s position as his Lord and Master. He must increase while I decrease. Let us humble ourselves by acknowledging Christ’s superiority over our lives. JOHN WAS NOT AFRAID OF PROCLAIMING THE TRUTH TO EVEN THE POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT : In Luke 3:19-20,John publicly condemned Herod for taking over the brother’s life. It was a strong measure of faithful proclamation that even cost him his life. Those who follow Christ must be ready to give all in His