Meet John the Baptizer

In the gospel harmony we are following, the first thing Jesus did after identifying himself as the “Word,” was to tell us about John the Baptizer. Why so early in the story? And the answer is that John “was sent by God to tell people about the light.” The problem was that people were living in darkness and deep down it wasn’t satisfying. They couldn’t really convince themselves that that was the way it ought to be. So John entered the course of history as one who would announce the arrival of light. His message was certainly no feel-good recommendation. He shouted out (had to because there were so many listening) “Repent! Repent!” And why should they do that? Because, as John explained, “The kingdom of heaven is about to break in.”
       We’ll talk more about this next time, but for the moment I want us to look at God’s larger plan. We already said that he existed before anything was; he created what now is, and to rescue us from darkness, he provided light. However, before sending his Son to accomplish this great rescue operation, he decided to let people know ahead of time about what was about to happen. To do this, he chose a rather eccentric itinerant preacher, John the Baptizer. I’m quite sure I wouldn’t have made a choice like that, but of course I’m not God.  What I see in his account is (1) a need, (2) the remedy, (3) some one to broadcast it, and (4) the result that many will come to believe.
       That sequence will serve us well as we seriously reflect on the fact that it was God himself, that is, Jesus, who told his followers, and that includes us, that we are to go everywhere and by telling people this simple story “make them my disciples.” As I understand it that means that you and I as believers have been called by God for a specific mission. Our charge is not to “win people to Christ,” as if our persuasive logic and captivating style could accomplish that. No way. We are not equipped, nor are we called, to do what only the Spirit can do. It is his voice, not ours, that will stir the heart and convince a person to give up his life in service to an unseen God. Our role is to proclaim; his is to bring the message home to those we encounter along the way. If we really do follow Christ, we will tell others how to join the parade; but remember, he is the one who does the convincing.
                                                             (John 1:6-9)