Hearing And Obeying - Disciple Makers Series #2Paraugs

 Did I Hear Correctly? 

No King comes unannounced – and God sent John the Baptist ahead of King Jesus.  God wanted His people to be ready to receive Jesus and the kingdom Jesus would bring, but it would require some preparation.  They needed hearts clean and ready to receive their King, so John helped people get ready.  

Again, the Jewish people knew from the Word of God that a man would come before the Messiah and prepare the way.  So it did not surprise them that John the Baptist would come – and that the Messiah would come immediately after John.

John was not the kind of man we would expect as the representative of God – he was dressed simply, he ate funny food, and he stayed outside of the cities (in the desert and along the Jordan river).  If they did not want to believe John would prepare the way for the Messiah, they had lots of reasons to back up their belief.  God does things differently than what we think is the right way to do it. 

Time to Pray

Father, what are You preparing Your people to do – me to do?  You make sure that everything is in place and I am prepared.  Why would that surprise me?  You are that kind of God and Father.  Still it is easy to miss what You are doing because things are not what I expect.  Help me to walk with my spiritual eyes open and alert so I know what You are doing.  Physically, I would be surprised – and I may even miss it.  Spiritually – it will be obvious.  Repentance, forgiveness, clean hearts – those are signs that show Your presence and plans are ready to happen.  So cleanse my heart, forgive me and prepare me for what You have coming.  In Jesus’ name Amen.