Hey! I'm so glad you are doing this study with me! Every day I will post a short little lesson(below) and then there will be a principle and some questions. If you post a comment, you can answer one of the questions, or just share what you learned from the readings. Here's day 1...
May 25
Read Mark1:1-8
Locusts are gross. They are big and crunchy and gross. These days eating a locust is something we would only see on a rerun of Fear Factor. But John the Baptist survived on them. Sure, he had wild honey to sweeten them up, but I can’t imagine that really helped much. He also wore clothing made of camel’s hair. Believe it or not, that was not even in style back then. Why did John do this? And why did he preach in the desert and baptize people who repented of their sins? Because he was preparing the way for Jesus. Just as Isaiah prophesied, (Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3) John came to spread the message that Jesus was coming. “Someone is coming soon who is greater that I am- so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.” (Mark 1:7 NLT) John the Baptist was willing to wear scratchy clothes and eat bugs because he knew how important the coming of Jesus was, and he wanted to spread the word. As Christians, we know that Jesus is coming again, and we have been given the same important job that John the Baptist was given- to prepare the way for Jesus! “Go into all the world and preach the good news to everyone” (Mark 16:15 NLT). No, it’s not always comfortable. No, it’s not always easy. But if John can walk around the hot desert in course camel hair, and survive on disgusting insects, then surely we can give up a little comfort and ease to find ways to spread the news. Jesus is coming back! So pick up your forks, people. It’s time to munch on some locusts!
Principle: Every Christian prepares the way for Christ in one way or another.
Application:
1. What evidence is there that my life is centered in introducing others to Jesus Christ?
2. Do I have John’s view of myself in relation to Christ?
3. How have I responded to the call to repent?
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In some European countries, instead of talking about the day I "got saved" or "asked Jesus into my heart" they talk about the day they "repented." Repentence is changing our mind about sin. This leads to changed behavior. For example, although I knew as a young man I was supposed to share my faith, my fear of rejection kept me in God's "secret service." I had to change my views about rejection before I started introducing others to Christ. It's obvious that John the Baptist (the original one) didn't give a rip about popularity or acceptance. His concern was helping people get right with God. I pray that I will be more like him.
ReplyDeleteConfession: There is really not much evidence at ALL that my life is centered on introducing others to Christ. And that's because it's not. In theory, I know it's my job as a Christian, and I think most my friends know I'm a believer, but I only REALLY talk about God to my friends that I know believe the same way I do. My non christian friends may know I'm a Christian, but I'm not comfortable talking to them about what that really means. So I don't. But my comfort shouldn't matter. I'm not even worthy to stoop down and untie his sandles, so who am I to refuse to do the job He's given me because it's a little awkward for me? Apparently I've been getting it all wrong...
ReplyDeleteWhat I see in John the Baptist is purpose and focus. He knew what his purpose was (to prepare the way for the Lord) and he was so focused on his purpose that everyday tasks like eating and dressing took a back seat. And his purpose and focus lead to success - verse 5 says the WHOLE Judean countryside and ALL the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Today we are focused on the things that don't matter in eternity - how we look, what we will eat, etc. How much more effective could we be if we knew our purpose and shifted our focus acccordingly?
ReplyDeleteA video was shown at our church about a "bullhorn guy", standing on a street corner shouting hell and damnation. The lesson was about sharing Christ through love (instead of threats). Even at the time, I shared the scripture of John the Baptist. Christ never compromised "sin", or accepted that sin. But, he did exemplify love in everything that wasn't sin against His Father (the temple). As a Christian, I don't think I'm called to be "politically correct" and blindly accept open sin, but I am called to love. That will be my prayer for today - for strength, for boldness, but always with love.
ReplyDeleteMy small group just finished a study on the book of Acts. Over & over again we talked about how God commands us to share the Gospel ALL the time in ALL we do... and here God is telling me again. As a mostly stay-at-home mom who only interacts with other adults at church & mother's day out, it's easy to say that I don't have the opportunity & leave it at that. But that's so not true! I DO have many opportunities and if I'm not seeing them I need to go looking. For example, I have noticed that the same cashier is working at CVS almost every time I go in. That is a perfect opportunity for me to build a relationship with the sole purpose of sharing the Gospel. I'm putting it in writing so that I will be held accountable to this! Next time I will introduce myself & try to find out something about him. That's way easier than eating locusts...
ReplyDeleteI love that Mark begins his story about Jesus by reminding us that God had it all planned- and now it is playing out just as he said. God is so big and he always does just what he says he will do. It's when we really see how big God is that we also understand our place before him. John got it. Do I? Do I have John's view of myself in relation to Christ? I certainly know it. But I am asking God to keep it in the forefront today. And to make all my conversations intentional in preparing the way for Christ.
ReplyDeleteLater in Mark, a verse appears that challenges me: Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." John, in the first few verses of Mark, suggests that He is not even worthy to be as slave before Jesus, but Jesus did not come to served by John. Instead, Jesus came to serve the unworthy! Wow!
ReplyDeleteI have challeged myself with this verse and with what I have be learning to grow in the area of service this summer.
Okay, so I was having problems posting and so that last post has errors...sorry! I hope no one is annoyed as I am!
ReplyDeleteHere's the rest of what I was trying to say:
I don't feel like my personal challenge needs to be shared, but I do want to post my idea so that like Lisa I have made myself accountable in some way.
I am overwhelmed with the reality of Jesus--worthy, so worthy--serving unworthy me! And I believe that in order to change the world around me I need to literally demonstrate Christ's love through real service. What an incredible lesson today to push me one step forward!
Like others have stated, I realize how unworthy I am and thank Him for the love, grace and mercy that He shows me daily.
ReplyDeleteSo is there evidence my life is centered in sharing Jesus with others? I desire to have a true relationship with God. As I study His word and spend more time in prayer I have faith that my life will begin to reflect the life that He has planned for me. It will not be easy and there will be many trials along the way but this is what He has planned for me to do. I am here to serve and Him.
We just returned home tonight so this looks like I'm already behind...My children's friends are getting married and we spent the weekend with my grown up son who is focused on serving Christ in ways I never expected. So, serving Christ and preparing looks different in different seasons of life.When they were little I did different things than I do now.
ReplyDeleteI love that Jesus lets me serve Him and that the confession that that involves is living in the power that makes preparing for Him possible. I think John did what he did because he lived confessing that he couldn't do any of it and wanted no part in living independently. That's probably how he ate locusts.