Dear Explorer,
Read John 1:24-28
Repentance for sins was a new and radical teaching and was in direct opposition to animal sacrifice that the Jews had practiced for centuries. Animal sacrifice was done to pay for sins committed and could only be done at the Temple by the Priests according to God's Law. In Leviticus 4:1-35, God's Law made it clear that the blood of an animal was required to atone (make up or pay) for sin.
Read Hebrews 9:22
Therefore, the Pharisees were justifiably upset and wanted to know what right he (John the Baptizer) had to baptize people to show repentance! Did John answer them?
I believe John's reply was: Things are changing. I'm just using water, but God is sending Someone who will really do something different!
Up to this point, the only baptism that was done was when a Gentile decided to become a Jew. One of the steps required in that process was baptism. And some pagan religious groups required baptism as a rite of membership. But Jews themselves were never baptized until John the Baptizer started baptizing.
Read John 1:29-34
What did John the Baptizer call Jesus in John 1:29?
He called Him the Lamb of God.
What did John the Baptizer say that Jesus would do?
He would take away the sins of the world.
Do you see a connection between Jesus being called the Lamb of God and Him taking away their sins? We'll continue to explore this as we study Jesus' life and ministry.
Notice that Jesus didn't come to just pay for the sins of the Israelites. He came to pay for the sins of the whole world. Everyone!
How did John know without any doubt that Jesus was the Messiah?
On Day 27 we discussed the sign that God told John the Baptizer to look for.
When John the Baptizer saw the “sign” that God had told him to look for, he knew for sure that Jesus was the Messiah and he proclaimed it to the people.
What would you say was John's goal or purpose in life? He states it in John 1:31.
So, what is your purpose or goal in life? What is your reason for existence?
Many years ago, God showed me a verse that sums up my goal in life or my reason for existence. It's found in Psalm 40:8. It says, “I delight to do Thy will, O my God.” (KJV)
What makes my life worthwhile is pleasing God and serving Him.
John the Baptizer knew his purpose and God's plan for his life. He carried that out and Jesus had high words of praise for him later.
I pray that as you search for life's meaning and specifically what makes YOUR life meaningful – you will find that God is in the center of it! And someday you'll hear God say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
In His service, dale
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