The leaders of Jerusalem sent a group of teachers and officials to investigate John the Baptist after hearing all that he was doing in the wilderness. John’s success was drawing people away from their spiritual center and into the wilderness to be baptized. The movement caught the attention of the religious leaders because of the message and excitement of the people. They wanted to know more about this uneducated, untrained man and how he was able to draw thousands to the desert to hear him preach and be baptized. They had nothing to do with the movement.

When they arrived, they began to question John, who he claimed to be. When John did not answer them as expected, “They pressed him, ‘Who, then? Elijah?’ ‘I am not.’ ‘The Prophet?’ ‘No’” John 1:21 (MSG) When John did not give them the customary answers every other false prophet or messiah gave, they further pressed him. “Exasperated, they said, ‘Who, then? We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something—anything! —about yourself.’” John 1:22 (MSG)

I love the answer John gave them; he said: “I’m thunder in the desert: ‘Make the road straight for God!’ I’m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached.” John 1:23 (MSG) John did not allow the established religious authority to categorize who he was, but he remained true to his mission and calling. He did not allow the established religious leaders to dictate who God called him to be.

Pastors, leaders, and fellow workers in Christ learn from John. Continue working; don’t allow anyone to stop you from fulfilling your call. Remember, it was God who called and appointed you. Be encouraged by John; be who God has called you to be. Remain faithful in your call, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work on the Lord.

Enlargement and Expansion

+RJ

Purchase Bishop Jemmott’s books and sermons including his latest release entitled “Still Standing” here.