Daily Direction Reading PlanSample

A White House press secretary articulates the policies and the positions of the president. The press secretary does not make policy but conveys the president’s policies to the public. In that sense, John the Baptist was a sort of press secretary. God chose him to introduce Jesus Christ to the world. The Bible calls him the forerunner of the Messiah. Here are some of John’s first comments about the Messiah from the Gospel of John, chapter 3: “He [the Christ] has come from above and is greater than anyone else. He tells what He has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Those who believe him discover that God is true. For He is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God’s Spirit is upon him without measure or limit. The Father loves His Son, and he has given him authority over everything. And all who believe in God’s Son have eternal life. Those who don’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them.” John the Baptist took serious his role as press secretary or forerunner. When Jesus arrived and attracted more attention than John, John’s reply was this: “God in heaven appoints each person’s work. You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him—that is all.”