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Saints!

Friday
March 29th, 2024
L&T Opinions Page

gary damronMY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

 

As we began to look at people who walked in faith, we found Jesus the supreme example. The definition of faith is, “…the certainty of things hoped for or expected, a proof of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Though we later will focus on some of our Lord’s disciples, it seemed good this week to roll back to the days before Jesus’ birth. Someone remarked that an unborn child was the first to offer praise about his coming (Luke 1:41). That person was John the Baptist, a child of promise sent to devout parents in their old age. He had faith with a purpose, faith that makes a difference, faith that teaches who each one of us is, enduring even through doubt and death. 

Centuries before his birth, prophets made reference to one who would prepare a way for the Messiah bringing salvation. “‘Behold, I am sending my messenger, and he will clear a way before me’” (Malachi 3:1). Isaiah 40:3 says, “The voice of one calling out, ‘Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” The angel Gabriel appeared to a priest and proclaimed, “‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John [which means God is gracious]’” (Luke 1:13). 

John’s entire life, he knew the purpose for his life. He and his mother were both filled with the Holy Spirit before his birth (Luke 1:15 and 1:41). He wasn’t told specifically how to accomplish that purpose, but when he was faithful to preach repentance in the desert, multitudes flocked to hear his message. The word repent means to change direction, and the symbolic ritual of those who experienced repentance was baptism (Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:5; Luke 3:7 and John 1:28). The baptisms John performed pointed to a filling and cleansing with the Spirit and with fire through Jesus. Paul later asked the people at Ephesus one of the most important questions in the Bible. “‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’” (Acts 19:2). 

The apostle John wrote of John the Baptist that he “…came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light” (John 1:7,8). Jesus identified Himself as that light (John 14:6), and then instructed, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5: 16). The plan for each of us is the same – to testify about the light of the world. 

John the Baptist in straightforward terms told the Jewish believers coming to him, “‘…bear fruit in keeping with repentance’” (Matthew 3:8). In other words, repentance and conversion must lead to ethical conduct. Any person with more food or clothes than he needs is to share with those who don’t. Tax collectors are to be fair and just in their work. Soldiers should be content with life. John spoke with such authority that people started questioning whether he might be the Messiah, but he declared each time that he was not the Christ. 

John had disciples before Jesus chose any of his twelve (John 1:35-37), and some of those left to become part of Jesus’ public ministry. John’s no-nonsense preaching got him thrown into prison, and even there he received word of the mighty works of the one he’d proclaimed Lamb of God. He sent a poignant question to Jesus. “‘Are you the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?’” (Matthew 2:19). The affirmative answer was sent back, and then Jesus gave John one of the highest tributes ever paid (Matthew 11:7-15). 

We’re mistaken if we expect heroes of faith to live a life of ease and blessing. Mark chapter 6 recounts the horrid end to the man likened to Elijah (Matthew 17:12; Mark 9:13). Through John’s life and death, a bridge was built to introduce the Kingdom and Jesus. News of John’s death reached his former disciples, who after burying him gathered with the Lord for comfort and renewal (Mark 6:29-32). 

We find faith in this story of a man of great courage who spread the Good News through his willingness to serve and to suffer. Our hope is an expectation, dependent on a faithful God. 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Reita Isaacs, Liberal

 

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