Friday, April 8, 2011

Message from Joe Frost, Director of Technology & Operations

Matthew-3:1-17 In those days John the Baptist came preaching... [he] wore a garment of camel's hair... and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him...confessing their sins... Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. And when Jesus was baptized. [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on [Jesus] and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

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It's time. He senses it and wanders out of the desert to the river. He strips off the poverty driven cave man attire of Camel hair, washes up, redresses, grabs some honey with only a few bee stings for the trouble, a few locusts to dip and he's ready.

He's not really sure what he's getting himself into, but he remains steadfast with what he thinks God has told him to do, baptize with water, and so he makes himself comfortable by the Jordan River and settles in to see how God will do this, out here, in the wilderness, alone.

He waits and prays and naps and before long his prayers are answered, they're coming. In fact, they're coming from all over & not just from the neighborhood. They come from all over that region. It's time.

Now, nearly screaming so everyone can hear him over the rushing water and noise of the masses he fulfills Isaiah's prophecy by telling all to repent for the kingdom of heaven is near. In fact, he seems especially passionate on the repentance part when he addresses the local religious guys... telling them (emphatically) to produce fruit in keeping with repentance!

Suddenly, almost as if on cue, there's a lull in the noise and it happens, through the crowd comes the one of whom John speaks. Jesus has arrived to be baptized by him. Retreating a few steps, John is overwhelmed and tries to dissuade Jesus saying that it's he that needs to be baptized by Jesus. Yet, Jesus gently replies, it's okay John, baptize me and this will fulfill all righteousness. And just like any proud father, enjoying the Son's moment of accomplishment, etched forever in time, God's voice is heard over the crowd, "yup, that's my boy."

Well, okay so the voice didn't say - and what you're doing is pretty awesome too John, but at least, this really unique guy, you know, someone like you and me, an average guy with a terrible wardrobe that likes junk food and probably needs a shower, is used by God to baptize His only begotten Son, Jesus.

It wasn't about what John wore, ate, or what he smelled like, he just shared the Word as he knew it with others and did what he believed God wanted him to do.

1 comment:

  1. Joe, I like how you shared this story. God really does use very ordinary people to do extraordinary things! It gives us all hope that He can use us too! Thanks for the encouragement!

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