My Cousin John's Testimony Concerning Me

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

October 22, 2012    My Cousin John's Testimony Concerning Me   

Page 49        John 1:15, 19-34

In Biblical times the nation of Israel lived in anticipation of God doing something mighty to save His people. When the religious leaders heard about a strange man preaching in the wilderness, they were anxious to learn more about him. Was he just another messianic pretender, was he a new prophet of God, was he a former prophet sent back by God? The Christian community today is called by God to live in anticipation of Jesus returning in final victory, just as much as Israel looked to the first coming of the Messiah. When you think about the issues of war, violence, oppression, recessions and depressions, do you look to the politicians to solve our problems, or do you long for the coming again of Jesus in final victory?

Two times John says he did not know Jesus was the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. In the light of the Mary and Elizabeth’s exhortations about their babies (Luke 1), doesn’t it seem strange that John did not know Jesus was the one for whom he was preparing the way?

I believe Fred Craddock, former professor of New Testament and Preaching at Candler School of Theology, is one of the best preachers I have ever heard. Countless thousands of lives have been blessed through his ministry. In his autobiography, Reflections on My Call to Preach: Connecting the Dots, (Chalice Press May 2009) he recalls a conversation with his mother when he had completed high school. He told his mother he sensed God calling him to be a preacher. His mother replied, “I know.” She then told Fred, who had been born into the rural poverty of the Great Depression in Tennessee, that when he was a baby he had diphtheria and wasn’t expected to live. When Fred was at his weakest, his mother prayed like Hannah (1 Samuel 1:11); she promised God if He would allow Fred to live she would give Fred to Him. Fred was astonished; this was the first time he had heard this story. “Why didn’t you tell me this before now” he asked his mother. “Because it had to be your decision” she replied.

“But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” is how Mary responded to the visit of the Shepherds (Luke 2:19 NRSV). Could it be that Mary and Elizabeth did not tell Jesus and John about the circumstances of their birth and allowed the Holy Spirit the freedom to work, unassisted, in their lives? Are there places in my life, and the lives of those I love, where I could be more patient and allow the Holy Spirit to produce the desire and the power to do what pleases God?

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13),

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

October 23, 2012    My Earliest Followers         Page 50        John 1:35-51