JOHN 31150not to judge the world, but to save the worldthrough him.18“There is no judgment against anyonewho believes in him. But anyone who doesnot believe in him has already been judgedfor not believing in God’s one and only Son.19And the judgment is based on this fact: God’slight came into the world, but people loved thedarkness more than the light, for their actionswere evil. 20All who do evil hate the light andrefuse to go near it for fear their sins will beexposed. 21But those who do what is rightcome to the light so others can see that theyare doing what God wants.*”JOHN THE BAPTIST EXALTS JESUS 22ThenJesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and wentJOHNTHE BAPTISTinto the Judean countryside. Jesus spent sometime with them there, baptizing people.23At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there wasplenty of water there; and people kept comingto him for baptism. 24(This was before John wasthrown into prison.) 25A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew* overceremonial cleansing. 26So John’s disciplescame to him and said, “Rabbi, the man youmet on the other side of the Jordan River, theone you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to himinstead of coming to us.”27John replied, “No one can receive anythingunless God gives it from heaven. 28You your3:21 Or can see God at work in what he is doing. 3:25 Somemanuscripts read some Jews.PERSONALITY PROFILEMAYBE YOU HAVE A LIST OF PEOPLE whom you would consider odd. Judging by today’s standards, John the Baptist would be called . . . well . . . odd.He wore unusual clothes, ate strange food, and preached an unusualmessage.John really wasn’t interested in how “unique” he was or whether or notpeople judged him based on his appearance. He was more concernedabout his unique role: to tell the world that the Savior was on his way. Johnwas totally committed to this purpose.This wild-looking man stood face-to-face with people and told them tochange their ways. He knew that the best way to get ready for the Savior wasto be deeply sorry for their sins.What’s more, John didn’t try to monopolize the spotlight once Jesusarrived. When some of his disciples complained that Jesus seemed morepopular than John, John replied, “He must become greater and greater, andI must become less and less” (John 3:30).John’s message still applies today. We also need to prepare for theSavior’s arrival in our lives (through the Holy Spirit) by first admitting thatwe need a Savior. Once we admit that need, we can choose to allow Jesusto become “greater and greater” in our lives—to be the one who calls theshots.Today, we still need to hear John’s favorite word—repent! If you don’tknow what it means, you may not have done it. Repenting means that youare not only deeply sorry for your sinfulness but are also serious in wantingGod’s help to live his way. Until you have repented, you won’t experienceGod’s forgiveness or the strength he offers to live a life of obedience. Repentance may be the most important thing you think about today.UPS:• The God-appointed messenger who announcedthe arrival of Jesus• A preacher who encouraged people to makethings right with God• A fearless confronter• Known for his remarkablelifestyle• UncompromisingBOTTOM LINE: God doesn’t guarantee an easy or safe life to those whoserve him.Doing what God desires is the greatest possible life investment.Standing for the truth might make you feel alone. But you aren’t reallyalone—God is with you.KEY VERSE: Matt 11:11John’s story is told in all four Gospels. His message and arrival are predicted in Isaiah40:3 and Malachi 4:5-6. He also is mentioned in Acts 1:5, 22; 10:37; 11:16; 13:24-25;18:25; 19:3-4.DOWNS:• Was imprisoned andbeheaded• Faced doubts about whoJesus wasSTATS:• Where: Judea• Occupation: Prophet• Relatives: Zechariah(father); Elizabeth(mother); Jesus (distantcousin perhaps—see Luke1:36)• Contemporaries: Herod,Herodias
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