City Life Starter

Written by Calah Jackson

The Word

As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Luke 3:15-17 (ESV)

Reflection

As I read through this passage I thought about the life of John. I thought about what it must have been like to carry the responsibility of being the one to “prepare the way” for Jesus. Even though John lived modestly and consistently pointed to the Messiah in his lifetime, there was an outpouring of grace on him to carry out his ministry. He was full of passion and ability to communicate the gospel in a powerful way.

From the perspective of the people, John must have seemed like the promised one. There was a glimmer of great hope to come. We have all experienced the feeling of palpable expectation when you’re waiting on a promise and something right in front of you seems like it could be the way. John is not the way, but he is a phenomenal reminder of what stewarding our gifts looks like. He did not allow the hearts of the people to be drawn in affection for him, but rather heralded the coming of someone greater by continually pointing to the one true sovereign King Jesus.

I consider the people as I think about what it may feel like to wait in expectation for the coming Messiah. I look at my own life and am challenged by them to not be casual about the promise of the return of our God to claim His people – to wait urgently. In the same vein I am challenged to lean further into the Holy Spirit to empower me to correctly focus my attention on Christ alone.

I consider John as I think about the ministry God has entrusted to myself and every believer. We have a great commission to be and make disciples pointing them to the Way. Rightly viewing our contribution in this entire story as the broken vessels we are, shattered, but made whole — entrusted with great eternal treasure.

Application

We have a posture to take from the expectation. We have neighbors to encounter and coworkers to share truth with. God is moving, but Lord, let us not be distracted with what is simply a shadow of freedom. Lord give us eyes stuck on your glory alone.

We have a world that is desperate for a remedy yet vehemently rejecting the Physician. We have a message to herald. We have shouts to shout and songs to sing. We have hands to clap as we exalt King Jesus. We have today to celebrate what’s to come and prepare well for the return of Jesus, the Bridegroom.

Prayer

Holy Spirit empower me with boldness to go into the world and herald the Good News! Free me of fear of rejection and help me to long for eternity. Help me to resist the temptation to take any of the credit or glory for the gifts and grace You have given me. Let every part of my life shine a spotlight on You. In Jesus name, amen.