“John announced: ‘Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with[d] water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!’” v. 7-8
When I think of John the Baptist, I can’t help but think of this wild man that wore camel hair clothes and ate locust and honey. I can’t help but think of how radical he was to the times he was living in. He would encourage people to Repent of Sin and be baptized. People would gather to hear him and watch others get baptized. He drew a crowd and people were talking. They were amazed at who he was, what he was teaching, and how people were responding.
However, John knew his purpose! John understood that regardless of what people were saying, regardless of how popular he was becoming, regardless of the accolades he was accomplishing, God had called him to prepare the way for the Messiah. With humility, passion, and boldness, John proclaimed that Jesus was coming, and when He comes, He will come with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Like John, we have been given the responsibility to prepare others for the return of Christ. This doesn’t mean that all of us have to be preachers or hold baptisms at school or in the work place. It simply means that we are growing closer to Christ daily and telling others about him regularly by our words and actions. It’s not by accident that you have the group of friends that you have, that you work in the place you work, or you have the talents you have. God has given those to you and placed you in these environments to prepare others for His return.
Today, do you know your role in Gods plan? What would it look like for you to humbly and passionately prepare others for Christ Return? How can you leverage your influence and encourage others to know Christ?
Prayer, Father today I pray for wisdom and boldness. Help me be authentic in the everyday places I am in, but help me leverage my influence to prepare others for your return and encourage them to experience you as their Lord and Savior surrendering all they are for all that You are.
Dan Gould 