The lives of John the Baptist and Jesus were brought together at the very start of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

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“I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:34, NASB)

It is easy to forget these accounts were personal, eye witness accounts. John the Baptist was present and experienced these things first hand. None of what is written is heresay. And let’s remember, heresay is tossed out in court. It is not acceptable as evidence.

It is John the Baptist who is able to make the powerful and stunning connection for us:

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (verse 29, NASB)

He was an eye witness. He baptized Jesus. He saw the dove descend, and he heard the voice from heaven.

“Jesus truly was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

(from 40 Days with Jesus, page 44)

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In Mark 1:14-15, we find John the Baptist – the forerunner to Jesus, the one who announced Jesus – now in custody. And now we see Jesus, beginning His earthly ministry.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (verse 15, NASB)

Jesus makes His message so simple as only two things are asked of any of us: Repent and Believe.

We can’t just do one or the other. They go together – we repent from our sins, turning from them, acknowledging they grieve the Lord and keep us from the Father. We believe – in Who Jesus is, of His sacrifice, in the forgiveness of our sin, and in all He continues to do in our lives.

“Let us not be concerned with the temporal matters of this world but fix our eyes on the eternal kingdom.”

(from 40 Days with Jesus, page 52)

It brought to mind these verses in Hebrews:

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:1-2, NASB)

Jesus – the author and perfecter of our faith through all He endured. Such love!

Jesus waited for the time in which He would be released to fulfill the Father’s plan. In those times which find us waiting, may we trust God and His timing for our lives as well.

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In John 1:19-34, we find John the Baptist in a conversation about his identity. The priests and Levites had questioned him, “Who are you?”

As he kept speaking about the Messiah, he began to draw a crowd, for the people were curious as to whom he could be speaking. In terms of today’s social media, one could say – he was drawing plenty of “likes” and “followers”. Most likely, he was “trending”.

The study points out:

“John said he was the voice calling out to make a path for the Lord’s coming.”

(from 40 Days with Jesus, page 60)

John was preparing the people for the first coming of Jesus to this earth. He was the voice of his time. We, too, have been given a “voice” and need to share the gospel with those in our lives. Our lives need to be beacons of light in this world which is experiencing so much pain and hopelessness.

Staying in Scripture every day is one of the best ways to keep biblical truths alive in our hearts. Through His Word, the Holy Spirit brings conviction, correction, and encouragement to keep us on the right path.

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Eye witness accounts - 
bring the Good News of Jesus to us today,
keeping us on His paths.

** These thoughts stem from the Bible Study,  40 Days With Jesus, which our group is working through during this season of Lent.

Photo 1: by Daniel Sandvik on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Serafima Lazarenko on Unsplash
Photo 3: by Rémi Jacquaint on Unsplash

Today I am joining … Tell His Story and InstaEncouragements .