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Friday, June 24, 2005

Meditation
Luke 1:57-66,80

John the Baptist was the greatest of all the prophets who came before Jesus. This man confronted secular and religious leaders, comforted tax collectors and prostitutes, and lived a life dedicated to prayer and fasting. But more importantly, John heralded the Messiah and came to be known as the “friend of the bridegroom” (John 3:29).

Do you believe that God has just as marvelous a plan for you as he had for John? Is it hard to believe that before you even saw the light of day, God has established a way in which you would advance his kingdom? Perhaps you feel that you’re not all that significant; but that isn’t the way God looks at you. What if your prayers of intercession were the force behind a major work of God in another corner of the world? What if you were called to raise children to become prophetic voices in the church or in the world?

We must learn to see things from God’s point of view. Consider how obscure John’s life was. Until the time when he revealed himself to the people of Israel, he lived in solitude, tucked away in the desert. We too may be waiting in a wilderness, but we should not despair. We should instead value our time of hidden-ness as an opportunity for God to teach us—a time for him to develop gifts of intercession, evangelism, or even healing in us. At just the right time, God will reach into the hearts of just the right people and touch them through us.

Most of us are like “hidden arrows” waiting for just the right time. We should not stop asking the Lord to accomplish his purposes through us. Imagine what the church would look like if we all let God work in our hearts to the degree that John the Baptist did. Just as thousands flocked to John for baptism, our witness, our prayer, our reaching out in love can soften and change the hearts of thousands. May we never underestimate God or sell short the power of his Spirit dwelling in us!

“Father, accomplish your plan for my life. Show me in what direction you want to take me and teach me to value times of hiddenness. Form me, Lord, and use me as your own.”

Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 139:1-3,13-15; Acts 13:22-26

One Bread, One Body

<< Friday, June 24, 2005 >>

Birth of St. John the Baptizer

Isaiah 49:1-6
Acts 13:22-26

Psalm 139
Luke 1:57-66, 80

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A “DEAR JOHN” LETTER

“The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb He gave me my name.” —Isaiah 49:1

Scientists talk about the genetic code which determines the physiological characteristics a pre-born baby will manifest. The child in the womb will possess the physical traits programmed into the DNA of the fetal cells. Christians refer to the lifelong calling of God made known not only to the child in the womb (Is 49:1; Ps 139:13-15), but even before the earth was formed (Eph 1:4-5).

John the Baptizer was “filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb” (Lk 1:15). While still in the womb, John began his prophetic ministry of heralding the coming of Jesus (Acts 13:24), leaping for joy at the sound of the voice of the mother of his Lord (Lk 1:41). At John’s birth, a miraculous healing occurred (Lk 1:64), and God received much glory (Lk 1:64, 67ff). The hearts of many were turned to the Lord even before John grew to adulthood (see Lk 1:65-66).

Each person shares the mission of John the Baptizer: to prepare the way of the Lord for some individual or group of people (Mt 3:3). You might have been an unwanted child, but God wanted you and has an important plan for you (Heb 11:40; Eph 2:10). God knows you intimately (Ps 139:1-5) and has “called you by name” (Is 43:1). In Jesus, you are greater than John the Baptizer (Mt 11:11). Therefore, lead others to Jesus, the Lamb of God (Jn 1:36-37).

Prayer: Jesus, may I decrease so that You may increase (Jn 3:30).

Promise: “I will make you a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” —Is 49:6

Praise: God anointed the birth of St. John so powerfully that “throughout the hill country of Judea” the story of his birth “began to be recounted to the last detail” (Lk 1:65).

A Voice in the Desert bump.

One Bread, One Body bump.