Following is today’s post from our Portuguese daily devotional “Jesus said…” I pray it blesses your day. Thanks for your prayers and support to keep this ministry going.
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.
Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’” Matthew 11:7-10
John the Baptist was a prophet, and also the object of prophecy (Mal 3: 1). While other prophets heralded the Messianic era, John cleared the way for the Messiah himself. While other prophets spoke of God’s coming salvation, John was able to point to the Savior himself.
It was prophesied that God would send Elijah to prepare the hearts of his people (Mal 4: 5). John also fulfilled this prophecy (Mt 11:14). Prophet, object of prophecy, and the forerunner of the Messiah himself, as Jesus said John was “more than a prophet”.
Like the tip of the iceberg, the era that John proclaimed brought changes humanity had never seen, neither before nor after. But we must remember, like the prophecy that announced the coming of John, it all points to one thing – the person of Jesus.
As big as a man, a ministry, a church, or a movement may be, we have a singular purpose – to guide people to Jesus Christ. If you consider your service, your ministry, the purpose of your life, do you have a singular purpose?
Are you helping family, friends, and colleagues to see Jesus? It can be a word of exhortation, comfort, or encouragement. It can be a visit or an email. You can send a meditation or a devotional like this. It could be over lunch or a coffee break. What do you speak of when you speak?
As simple as it may be, use whatever means you have to show Jesus, to point people to the Savior. This is what all servants of God, from the greatest to the least, can and must do. And there is no greater ministry.
As the Apostle John declared at the end of his gospel, having written twenty-one chapters about all the remarkable things Jesus had done, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
And He’s still at work in your life today. Share with someone today what Jesus has done and is doing for you. Point someone to Jesus. Is there anything more important to talk about today?
Holy Father, wonderful God, I thank you for all that the Lord has given me to accomplish with my life today. But help me to remember that I am a servant and that the purpose of my life is to point people to Jesus, to show them Jesus, to share with them what Jesus has done in my life.
Help me to use my time, my strength, my life to help others see Jesus. He is worthy and there is no better thing I can do with my life than to point others to Him. In the name of my Lord and Savior I pray. Amen