Jesus Christ Loves All God's Children

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As God's child, the Creator of everything is your Heavenly Father.
His Son, Jesus Christ, is your loving Big Brother and Very Best Friend.
His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is your All Powerful Helper and Faithful Guide.

L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.

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DAY 2

GOD GIVES POWER TO THE HUMBLE

JOHN 1:23

John the Baptist said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Easy Print .PDF Version of Day 2. International Bible Study Commentary on John 1:15-23. International Bible Study Commentary on John 1:24-34. International Bible Study Commentaries on John.

Other than Jesus Christ, few people have been as humble as John the Baptist.  To be humble means to make an honest and realistic evaluation of yourself and then act and speak accordingly.

John the Baptist declared that he was not the Light, but he came to testify to the true Light that enlightens everyone. To “testify” means to tell the truth as though you were in a law court. John testified before God, the Supreme Judge of the universe, and to the religious leaders that he was not the true Light. He also confessed or testified that he was not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet. He did not claim any privileged or esteemed position for himself. He simply declared, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness.” How many of us could remain as humble as John the Baptist and say, “I am only a voice,” as they attracted great crowds, baptized countless numbers, and even attracted the attention of a country’s religious and political leaders — even the attention of King Herod, who eventually had John beheaded? How many of us could remain content living in a wilderness?

From the beginning, John the Baptist always pointed beyond himself to what and who were more important than himself. When questioned, he pointed his listeners to what the Bible says; for example, to the words of Isaiah the prophet. He sought to draw people to the truth, to the Light, to the path they should follow — not to his ideas or to himself.  He pointed them to God’s Word and to God’s promises.  People crowded around John because he taught from the Bible and the Holy Spirit within him bore witness to their hearts that John spoke the truth. His words gave them hope for the future, for what God would do in their lives then and forever.

When we learn and share the teachings of the Bible, as a follower of Jesus Christ we can become His Voice in the world today. If we remain humble before God and others, the Lord Jesus will give us the words and the power to encourage others and help them believe in Jesus too. With His Voice speaking through us, Jesus can change any believer into one of God’s children.

In the lifetime of John’s listeners, the Lamb of God came and began taking away the sins of individuals as the New Testament shows and He still does. Eventually, Jesus will return and take away the sins of the world.  Today, as then, Jesus frees His followers from the power of sin, from harmful habits, from practices that will destroy themselves and others.  Jesus promises forgiveness, freedom from sin, and a beautiful home in heaven for everyone who loves Him.

Today, the Holy Spirit still indwells the followers of Jesus Christ, even as the Holy Spirit filled John the Baptist (before he was born). The power of those who humbly follow Jesus, even as a simple voice, comes by the grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do what God the Father sent Jesus or John to do.  John the Baptist could not have done what Jesus came to do. By humbly recognizing his purpose as a simple voice, John the Baptist led many people to place their faith in Jesus and discover the freedom from slavery to sin and the forces of darkness that God promised when He sent Jesus, the true Light of the world.

In the life of John the Baptist, we see how God can use us.  If we remain humble people, we can help others find a new life in Jesus, and we can truly become all that God wants us and them to become.

Read John 1:21-29

And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.”  (John 1:21)

Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”  (John 1:22)

He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’“ as the prophet Isaiah said.  (John 1:23)

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.  (John 1:24)

They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”  (John 1:25)

John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know,  (John 1:26)

the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.”  (John 1:27)

This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.  (John 1:28)

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  (John 1:29)

Ideal for Personal Study, Home and Mid-week Bible Groups, and Sunday Schools!
Proceed at YOUR Own Pace Week-by-Week!