Matthew 3:11
“As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
John knows his place and He knows Him who is coming after Him. He has a role and a time. It’s now. He is the forerunner for Christ. He is making the paths straight. He is bringing the message to the people.
We are to do the same. We have a message. The only difference is that with John, Jesus hasn’t come yet. He hadn’t died for sins and the Holy Spirit hasn’t come. All of this has been done. We are offering the finished deal.
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.” John was an ambassador for Christ, we are ambassadors for Christ. We are representing our King to the world.
Jesus said in Acts 1:8 that we are His witnesses. I heard that word as a young christian and was curious of it. I’ve heard that often referring to trials and courts. This was new. It’s a great description. We’ve accepted Christ. He’s forgiven us our sins, He’s filled us with His Spirit. He answers our prayers, He blesses us. His Spirit is bearing witness with our spirits and so on. We are full of joy and bursting at the seams with it. We are first hand witness to what God can do in a life. All of His children are.
In the courts witnesses take the stand and speak to what they have seen. So we are to share with others that God loves them and wants to direct their lives and bless them to.
2 Corinthians 5:11a says, “Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.” This verse adds another level. He speaks of fearing the Lord. To fear the Lord means that we know He is the all powerful God and that He means what He says and His word will come to pass. We are concerned for others. We know God’s judgement is coming. We want others to miss that. So, we persuade men. This is a little more than witnessing. Almost like a salesman applies a little pressure to move the sale. Sometimes we do that.
John the Baptist applied pressure. Strong words. He had a blessing on him. The Lord had blessed him and gifted him for that task. God blesses us in certain ways to bless others. I’ve got a friend who has evangelistic gifts. He seems afraid of little. He boldly speaks. Lord, thank You for him and those like him that share Your word.
Lord, help us to represent You, share Your word and be Your ambassadors.