OCU C)HT C Devotion 04
- This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 2 days, 21 hours ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
MATTHEW 14 – BEHEADED
So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. (Matthew 14:10-12)
John the Baptist was an instrumental ambassador for the Lord Jesus. Without fear, John spoke boldly concerning the coming kingdom. John would condemn the hypocritical Pharisees and preach to the masses about what true righteousness was; that salvation was not experienced through the law or a Hebrew bloodline but from the repentance from sin and the exercise of faith in the person of Jesus Christ.
John’s testimony threatened many of the Jewish leaders who had a stronghold on the Hebrew people. While the Pharisees preached the law, John preached the judgment of God and the repentance of sin. Many people who heard Johns’s message were saved and were publicly baptized. Sadly, many of the Hebrew converts faced a lifetime of exile by their family and communities.
CHALLENGE
John took his calling to preach the kingdom of God very seriously.
John preached with great zeal and holy conviction. Sadly, John’s witness for Jesus would eventually cost him his life by decapitation.
Today, God has the same message for you. Have you answered His calling? In doing so, it may cost you your life like it did Johns. Nevertheless, be of good cheer for Jesus’s promises to the saints that are “faithful unto death,” He “will give you a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
-
The focus of this week’s devotional is about John the Baptist and other followers of Jesus and their journey, which for many of them included persecution and death. This can be hard to think about, yet it is very true. However, I think it also points out how important the good news of Jesus and the salvation He brings. This is not something that should affect people slightly. This is life-changing, amazing good news. John the Baptist and many other followers of Jesus showed how much they were committed to Him, no doubt because of how much Jesus did for them and changed them. This commitment came from a relationship with Jesus. In a way, it convicts us by asking us whether we are all the way in with our relationship with God. With God’s help and grace, we can always keep growing our relationship with Him.
-
John the Baptist was a true lion of the faith. Although he wasn’t part of the twelve disciples, he was indeed a the first true follower of Jesus, bold, unshaken and fully surrendered, even unto death. In some way, we all feel that deep connection to John because of his boldness, raw faith and devotion to the Lord. Ultimately, he was a man who did not compromise. A man who feared God mor than man. If anything, if you ever feel as if you feel set apart while walking in Christ, remember that John most likely understood that as well. These are the things this world needs more of today, and hopefully we all become more like John where we actively surrender to Him on the daily.
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
