"John the Baptist Exalts Jesus"

"Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time there, baptizing people. At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. (This was before John was thrown into prison.) A debate broke out between John's disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. So John's disciples came to him and said, "Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us." 

 "John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, 'I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way to him.' It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

 "He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God's angry judgment."" (John 3:22-36 NLT) 

  "During the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king in Judah, the LORD gave this message to Jeremiah: "Get a scroll, and write down all my messages against Israel, Judah, and the other nations. Begin with the first message back in the days of Josiah, and write down every message, right up to the present time. Perhaps the people of Judah will repent when they hear again all the terrible things I have planned for them. Then I will be able to forgive their sins and wrongdoings."" (Jeremiah 36:1-3 NLT) 

  It is only because God loves us, that He takes His time before He judges us! As Peter so eloquently says, "The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." (2 Peter 3:9 NLT) 

  So, here is the deal, from a laymen's point of view: Jesus gives a puff piece of God's amazing love, while John the Baptist gives a one-two punch, and an uppercut! You make of it what you want; I say that John's testimony does not pull any punches! He was blunt and to the point; making quite sure that anyone listening would know, there will be judgment, and God will not be nice! 

  Back to the final thought from yesterday, we have something to celebrate, you and I, because we are free from God's angry judgment! It is this celebration, that goes on and on inside of our hearts, that gives us a motivation and desire to do what God wants. As John says, "Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome." (1 John 5:3 NLT) 

  I know that we sometimes get overwhelmed and feel as though there is not enough time in our day; but truth be told, if we don't make the time for something, then that something gets no time! I have a new catch phrase for things like that, "Come on, man," and then you add whatever you want to that... 

"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true; and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." (1 John 5:20-21 KJV)