Tag: John the Baptist

How Do You Recognize True Wisdom? – Luke 7:1-35

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From my reading in Luke 7:1-30 (and continuing to 35) in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus and John the Baptist had different styles of ministry.  People said John the Baptist was possessed because he didn’t eat bread or drink wine and people said Jesus was a glutton and a drunkard and friend of tax collectors and sinners. Here’s Jesus response.

“But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” Luke 7:35

How can you recognize true wisdom?

By the changed lives of those who follow it. Other translations say wisdom is “justified by her children.”

Children in this instance means someone who looks to someone else as a father in the faith. Both Jesus and John the Baptist saw positive results in the lives of their followers. Lives were changed for the good and their messages were compatible.

The health of a church is not judged by the quality of it’s presentation but in the lives of the members.

If people are becoming more like Jesus and loving each other then very likely there is wise leadership in place. There will always be hypocrites and immature people in every church, but overall are people’s lives being changed by Jesus at your church?

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What Was John The Baptist’s Role? – Luke 1:57-80

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From my reading in Luke 1:57-80 in the One Year New Testament.

John the Baptist had dramatic events that surrounded his birth and people wondered,

“What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.” Luke 1:66

Zechariah had been muted during before John’s birth was then filled with the Spirit and gave a powerful prophecy about John the Baptist’s role.

John Was A Prophet of God

 “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High” Luke 1:76

After a drought of God speaking to his people through prophets John the Baptist would speak for God.

John Prepared The Way For Jesus

“because you will prepare the way for the Lord.” Luke 1:76

John’s task was to prepare the people for the coming of Christ.  How did he do that?

John Preached Forgiveness of Sins

“You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.” Luke 1:77

John baptized people who were willing to repent of their sins. This act of faith would prepare people to receive the message of forgiveness found in Christ.

John’s work was to prepare people’s hearts for Jesus who ultimately would save them and give us peace. Zechariah concluded with this epic prophesy about Jesus.

“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” Luke 1:78–79

No matter how dark our lives are Jesus is the light.

He offers us hope, peace, and eternal life with him forever.

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Life In the Womb – Luke 1:39-56

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From my reading in Luke 1:39-56 in the One Year New Testament.

One interesting story in Luke is when Mary went to visit her relative Elizabeth. Here’s what happened when Mary greeted them.

“At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Luke 1:41

Baby John the Baptist jumped within Elizabeth in response to Mary’s greeting! It is interesting that even in their respective wombs John the Baptist and Jesus had a special connection.

It would not have crossed Luke’s mind to call the baby in the womb a fetus or lump of tissue. No, clearly the child that leaped already had life!

I believe that as followers of Jesus we need to speak up for this who can’t speak for themselves, and seek to protect life in the womb. For a good explanation and arguments about the pro life position check out the short book Why Pro Life? by Randy Alcorn.

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