We are Billions of Johns

Scripture: Meanwhile they were asking, “Why do the religion scholars say that Elijah has to come first?” Jesus replied, “Elijah does come first and get everything ready for the coming of the Son of Man. They treated this Elijah like dirt, much like they will treat the Son of Man, who will, according to Scripture, suffer terribly and be kicked around contemptibly.” Mark 9:11-13

Observation: After the transfiguration, Peter, James, and John ask Jesus about a specific element of Messiah. With the full understanding that Jesus is truly Messiah, they wonder how that can be since the scriptural scholars agree that Elijah would "come" first to usher in Messiah. Jesus responds in a manner that indicates the fact that this prophesy wasn't about Elijah, but about a prophet in the manner of Elijah, and that prophet was John the Baptist. And true to prophesy, John came first, introduced Jesus, then was killed just as predicted.

This emphasizes the importance of John. It is always interesting how the first disciples did come to understand this, so much so that all four gospels emphasize John's ministry. Luke literally begins with an account of John's - not Jesus' - conception. Mark and John begin their recount with John's ministry, not Jesus. Matthew spends time on Jesus' childhood, but the first 'ministry' conversations are about John. Jesus' revelation about John was so well understood by the disciples, that in telling the world about Jesus they felt they absolutely needed the context of John.

Why has this changed? Why is it that we effectively never tell 'seekers' about John the Baptist? John is no longer "necessary context" for understanding Jesus or believing in his Messiahship.

Well ... maybe that last statement isn't actually true. Yes, John was the predicted form of Elijah who prepared the way for the Messiah with the message "repent, for the Kingdom of God is near!" However, it is very likely that John is now ... billions of believers, within the Church of Jesus Christ, who are supposed to be preparing the rest of the world to receive the gospel of Jesus by telling them that the Kingdom of God is near!

Application: If I am now John the Baptist - a form of Elijah who is supposed to be preparing the world to have a heart to receive the good news about redemption and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ - how am I doing at that? No, I don't need to wear camel hair and eat locust, but I am to be telling others of their need for salvation, softening their hearts to receive the love of God, and guiding them toward baptism.

There are elements of that I participate in. The one element I would like to improve on is ... softening their hearts. I am not a peace-making, heart-softening kind of person. I am too judgmental and strong-headed, angry at the world for its downfall and rebellion against God. I am not gently leading anyone to a point in their life where they are receptive to the idea of Messiah.

It is easy for me to declare that many people are so lost and broken - and in that brokenness, they are so violently hostile toward God in and anyone like me who may mention God - that there is no gentle path upon which to lead them to the metaphorical river. However, that is in fact the easy way out. It isn't the John way. If the world needs more John the Baptists, maybe I better get busy becoming one.

Prayer: Lord, I have a heart to be kind to others as a means to engage them about Jesus, but as you know I am not very good at that. May your Holy Spirit work within me every day, to soften my own heart, so I can find gentle ways to approach others and soften their hearts. Amen.