LUKE 1:76-79. “And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercies of our God; whereby the Day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” HIS NAME IS JOHN.
What expectations! What demands! What a world view of things! – from a child. To look ahead and see – see with clarity and with understanding – the way of the Lord. To be born out of season, supernatural, by promise, with a known purpose – God arranged it. To know and worship, to be filled with the Spirit before even being born – a real person. To be linked with Elijah, to have the same work, to have the same impact – a prophet. To be the chosen one to go ahead, the opening event after hundreds of years – the forerunner. To be the point-man of a new day, to read the signs and know the reasons – the guide. To smooth the path, thirty years of hardy self-discipline under the camel-skin coat – the desert-dweller. To live simply; basic needs met in basic ways, bugs and honey for sustenance – the Essene. Who is this? His name is John.
What a work! What a generation! What a great national need! – from the heat of the desert. It was promised – he would go before the face of the Lord – the priest’s son. It was purposed – he would prepare the ways of the Lord – his own relative. It was proclaimed – he was to give knowledge of salvation – to a lost generation. It was practical – remission of sins was essential, there was no other way – for a nation. It was poignant – through the tender (bowels of) mercies from the highest Source – our God. It was plain – from heaven is coming Light that will expose all – the Day Spring from on high. It had potential – his message would give light in darkness and death’s shadow – the Light comes on. It was personal – he would know and show where the feet should go – he was the guide. Who does this? His name is John.
What a kind of a man is this? What is he like? How can he do this work? Who is he? He grows – in his physic, in his spirit, in his coping abilities, in his strength – the child. He lives – in the deserts, in privacy, in the learning mode, in practical righteousness – the learner. He leaves- the time has come, the word of the Lord calls him to move out, time to go – the traveler. He preaches – repentance, turning from sin, flee from the wrath to come - the preacher. He predicts – the Lord is coming, get ready, prepare for what is ahead – the prophet. He challenges – make the necessary changes now, let’s see reality, salvation now – the soul- winner. He baptizes – really mean what you say, make evident to others your honesty – the Baptist. He identifies – the Lamb of God, the Sin-bearer, the Savior, the Messiah – the voice. He warns – that is sin Herod, God condemns what you are doing, repent – the martyr. His work is done! His name is John.
"Father, I believe a life lived with the confidence that this is what God has called me to do, is probably one of the greatest causes of peace in the soul there could ever be. No matter what arises, to be able to say, 'I know this is the right way,' is a blessed way to live, work and die. Thank You giving me this assurance too. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”