IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

John the Baptist Prepared the Way

Date: Jan. 20, 2017

Passage

Luke 7:24-35  (ESV)

24 When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,

  “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, 30 but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)

31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,

  “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
    we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 7:27

This is he of whom it is written,

  “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

1. "What did you go out to see...?" (24-28)

Jesus turned to the crowd and asked them about John. What did they expect to see when they went out to see him? A reed swayed by the wind, or a man dressed in fine clothes? John was neither of these. Did they go out to see a prophet? John was a prophet, and even more. John was the one of whom God said, "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you." John was sent by the Lord to prepare people's hearts to receive Jesus, and to point the way to him. This made John great. But he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than the greatest on earth.

2. They acknowledged God's way was right (29-35)

John's baptism ministry reached many. John led them to the knowledge that God's way is right. But the religious leaders were different. They rejected God's purpose for themselves. They were like children in the marketplace complaining no one paid attention to them. They said John had a demon and that Jesus was a drunkard and glutton. Their hearts were not open to God.

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to know that God's way is right.

One Word: God's way is right

Daily Bread

Victory and Final Judgment

Revelation 20:1-15

Key Verse: 20:15

And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

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