Where Are You, God? 30 First Encounters With GodSample

Day 12: John the Baptist - Preparing the Way

What would it take to get people's attention today? John the Baptist had a message so urgent that thousands left their comfortable lives to hear a wild man preaching in the desert.

John was an unlikely messenger. He lived in the wilderness, wore camel hair clothing, and ate locusts and honey. No seminary training, no religious credentials, no political connections. Yet crowds streamed from Jerusalem and surrounding regions to hear him preach. Why? Because for 400 years, heaven had been silent. There had been no prophet since Malachi. Now God was speaking again.

Breaking the Silence

"In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near'" (Matthew 3:1-2). John's message was simple but revolutionary: change is coming, and you need to be ready. He wasn't offering comfortable religion but demanding heart transformation.

Preparing Hearts for the King

John called people to baptism—a public immersion in water, symbolizing repentance and commitment to change. When religious leaders came seeking baptism without genuine repentance, John confronted them boldly: "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matthew 3:8). He demanded real change, not just religious ritual.

Pointing Beyond Himself

John's greatest strength was his humility. "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry" (Matthew 3:11). When Jesus appeared, John declared: "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). His mission wasn't to build his own following but to prepare people for someone greater.

The Ultimate Moment

When Jesus came for baptism, even John hesitated: "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" (Matthew 3:14). But Jesus insisted, and as He emerged from the water, heaven opened. The Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father's voice declared: "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).

Your Voice in the Wilderness

John understood that true ministry means "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30). Who is God calling you to prepare for an encounter with Jesus? Like John, your greatest success will be measured by how well you point others to Christ.

Sometimes the greatest ministry is being a voice that points others to Jesus.