The W.W.E. of John the Baptist from Luke 3:1-6 (Short Bible Study)

Watch other Bible Study videos:

CHAPTER 1

Luke 1:1-4 https://youtu.be/PVorOCQqOVM   

Luke 1:5-25 https://youtu.be/F5Kp-JU-c90  

Luke 1:26-38 https://youtu.be/1h56S9IGvf0  

Luke 1:39-56 https://youtu.be/2fQYRCvIn5k  

Luke 1:57-66 https://youtu.be/4JsE7rFRCig  

Luke 1:67-80 https://youtu.be/Swmh_gjEBp0  

CHAPTER 2

Luke 2:1-7 https://youtu.be/A-lKr7906JI  

Luke 2:8-20 https://youtu.be/OmCUs95ozUQ  

Luke 2:21-24 https://youtu.be/MfVXnV3X-Og  

Luke 2:25-35 https://youtu.be/-hODLozQbmM  

Mother’s Day Special https://youtu.be/56a8cmkRpd8

Luke 2:36-38 https://youtu.be/56a8cmkRpd8

Luke 2:39-52 https://youtu.be/QaLBTLSkMls  

_______________

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/LEGASI.tv/

IG: https://instagram.com/richard_angelus

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

3F [Fellowship, Faith, Forerunner] Lessons I Learned from Luke 1:57-66 (Short Bible Study)

Open Your Bible to Luke 1:57-66 (NLT):

When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

“What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.

3F Lessons:

#1 The Need for FELLOWSHIP

#2 The Power of FAITH

#3 The Call to Be FORERUNNER

Want to Watch Previous Videos?

Episode #1: https://youtu.be/PVorOCQqOVM

Episode #2: https://youtu.be/F5Kp-JU-c90

Episode #3: https://youtu.be/1h56S9IGvf0

Episode #4: https://youtu.be/2fQYRCvIn5k

Blog: www.richardangelus.me      

Instagram: https://instagram.com/richard_angelus

Twitter: https://twitter.com/angelus_richard  

YouTube: https://youtu.be/PVorOCQqOVM

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Nuan Deka Nyadi Murid Jesus Bakani: John, Herod tauka Herodias? (Mark 6:14-29)

“Nyadi orang ti udah nangkap John Pemaptisa suba ari asoh Rajah Herod empu, lalu disimpan iya dalam tutup. Kebuah Herod ngereja utai nya laban Herodias, ti udah jadi enggau iya, taja indu nya bini menyadi iya ti benama Pilip. John Pemaptisa selalu madah ngagai Herod, ko iya, ‘Nuan enda tau jadi enggau bini menyadi nuan empu!’ Nya alai Herodias pedis ati ngagai John lalu deka munoh iya, tang iya enda ulih munoh John, laban Herod. Nyadi Herod takut ka John laban iya nemu John nya orang ti manah sereta kudus, nya alai iya ngidup ka iya. Herod deka ninga ka John, taja iya selalu kena pangka jako John”

(Mark 6:17-20, Berita Manah Ka Rebak Diatu)

Maya Herod ninga pasal Jesus “ngelekai di serata dunia” (6:14a), iya mikir Jesus tu John laban iya bisi ninga orang bejako, “John Pemaptisa udah angkap idup baru! Nya kebuah kuasa ti baka nya bisi ba iya” (6:14b). Ayat 17 sampai 29 nyerita ka bakani pengujung pengidup John. Bisi tiga orang dalam crita tu ti ulih nyadi ka chunto pengidup kitai Kristian: John, Herod ngau Herodias.

John sigi nabi ti brani ngau bendar. Iya selalu ngajar orang di menua puang, “Lengka ka dosa kita, awak ka kita lalu dibaptisa”. Ko iya mega, “Allah Taala deka ngampun dosa kita” (Mark 1:4). John diguna ka Tuhan “nyadi seruan” ngau “nyedia jalai” ka Tuhan Yesus (1:2). Taja pan John tu kasar dalam jako, iya nabi ti lemi ati. Iya madah ngagai anak murid iya, “[Jesus] deka beguna agi ari aku, lalu aku kurang agi beguna ari iya” (John 3:30). Jesus mega madah bakatu pasal John: “Nadai siko orang ti udah nguan dunya tu lebih besai ari John Pemaptisa…” (Matthew 11:11). Pia mega, John enda malu ngajar Herod, “Nuan enda tau jadi enggau bini menyadi nuan empu!” di mua Herod. Bagi Herod, John tu “orang ti manah sereta kudus.”

Herodias mula iya bini Pilip, tang Herod udah ngambi ka iya nyadi ka bini maya iya nyadi rajah. Herodias tu dibeda aku baka indu tik suka ngambi kesempatan. Iya gila kuasa ngau suka meri perintah ngagai laki iya Herod. John disimpan di rumah pasung (rumah tutup) “laban Herodias” (6:17). Iya amai pedis ati ninga ka jako John, nya alai Herodias ngiga “awak kena munoh John” (6:21). Iya mega indai ti enda peduli bakani orang ngelayan anak dara iya. Maya Herod udah mabuk, iya nyuruh (ko runding aku) anak dara iya betanda di mua Herod enggau pengabang ti datai. Udah Herod betanya ngagai anak dara iya, “Nama utai ti dikedeka nuan?” Anak nya “nanya indai iya, ko iya, ‘Nama utai ti patut dipinta aku?’ Disaut indai iya, ‘Pala John Pemaptisa’” (Mark 6:22, 24). Semoa dendam ngau pemetang ati iya dipuas ka enggau pemati John.

Bisi penyalin madah Herod tu “Rajah”, bisi mega ngumbai iya “Gabenor” (Luke 3:19). Herod tu orang ti bekuasa tang lemi. Iya balat ninga ka jako bini iya ti jai. Herod mega idup dalam pemetang.  Iya “ngereja mayoh macham penyai” ko Luke 3:19. Ati Herod dua tiga, nadai bisi bepanggai dini-dini. Iya rindu ngagai John tang iya mega takut. “Herod deka ninga ka John, taja iya selalu kena pangka jako John” (6:20). Ukai semina ati iya enda tetap, iya mega orang ti enda nemu bepikir maya bejako. Meda anak dara Herodias betanda di mua iya, iya nyadi rindu bendar. Nya alai Herod betanyak nama utai ti dikedeka indu dara nya seta iya besumpah, “Aku besemaya deka meri sebarang utai ti dipinta nuan, datai ka satengah ari menoa ti diperintah aku, deka meh aku meri ka nuan!” (Mark 6:23). Ketegal betanda aja, iya udah bersumpah, besemaya! John mati laban iya takut ka bini, laban malu di moa bala temuai (6:26), ngau laban enda bepikir sebedau bejako.

Kati ko pengidup Kristian nuan? Baka John Pemaptisa ti brani, lemi ati, kudus seta enda malu mantah ka penyai ti dipeda iya? Baka Herodias ti pembenci, suka ngambi kesempatan seta gila kuasa? Baka Herod ti lemi, takut, ati dua tiga serta enda bepikir maya bejako? Nuan deka idup ti ngemesai ka nama Tuhan Yesus baka pengidup John? Tauka nuan deka nyadi orang bekuasa baka Herod ngau Herodias tang pengidup ti ngereja mayoh macham penyai? Dalam crita tu, John ti manah, mati; tang Herod ngau Herodias ti jai, idup. Tang maya tu, John bulih “pengidup ti meruan” (John 3:16); Herod ngau Herodias masuk ka “api neraka” (Luke 16:24).

Sembiang

O Tuhan Jesus, dalam pengidup Kristian kami ajar kami idup dalam jako Nuan.

Awakka kami nitih pengidup John Pemaptisa ti brani, lemi ati, kudus
seta enda malu mantah ka penyai ti dipeda kami. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus mai Kitai nudok ka Perintah Allah Taala

“Udah John [Pemaptisa] kena tutup, Jesus mansang ngagai menoa Galili lalu ngajar Berita Manah ari Allah Taala. Ko iya, ‘Timpoh ti patut udah datai, Perintah Allah Taala nyau semak! Lengka ka dosa kita lalu arap ka Berita Manah!’ Leboh Jesus bejalai di tebing Tasik Galili, iya meda dua iko orang berikan diri menyadi, Simon enggau menyadi iya Andrew, benong mukat ba tasik. Ko Jesus bejako enggau seduai, ‘Titih ka aku, lalu aku deka ngajar saduai jalai ngulih ka mensia.’ Saduai ninggal ka pukat lalu nitih ka iya.

Angkat ari nya Jesus meda dua iko agi orang diri menyadi, James seduai John anak Sebedi. Seduai dalam perau nyendia ka pukat saduai. Sereta Jesus meda saduai iya lalu ngangau ka saduai. Saduai ninggal ka apai saduai dalam perau enggau orang ti digaji saduai, lalu angkat nitih ka Yesus”

(Mark 1:14-20, Berita Manah ka Rebak Diatu).

Nuan diau dalam perintah Malaysia lalu dipegai parti politik ti badas (tauka enda), ko runding nuan. Tang nama ko Tuhan Jesus tadi: “Perintah Allah Taala nyau semak”. Kati kitai diasoh badu nyadi kaban perintah Malaysia, badu dipegai perintah? Ukai. Nya manah lalu nya peneka Allah Taala. Reti Perintah Allah Taala iya nya: Allah Taala nyadi Tuai, nyadi Raja, nyadi Perintah kitai, lalu kitai rakyat Iya. Lalu kitai nitih ka atur sereta peneka iya lebih ari semoa atur bukai. Peneka Allah Taala dititih dalam pengawa politik, dalam hal pelajar, dalam semoa utai ti dikereja kitai di dunya tu, di rumah, di tanah, ba tuboh, ba semengat kitai. Pia Perintah Allah Taala datai.

Enti pia anang ngasoh pengawa politik tauka pengawa ti bukai nyadi pun pengidup nuan lebih ari semoa, lalu Perintah Allah Taala enggau peneka Iya nadai endor agi. Nya pulai ka mayoh macham penyalah baka belaya, begedi, ngakal, nipu, datai ke rumah pechara. “Lengka ka dosa kita lalu arap ka Berita Manah!” ko Jesus tadi. Berubah amat-amat. Badu bepun ka peneka ati enggau roh dunya tang bepun ka peneka Allah Taala enggau perintah Iya; nya ngasoh semoa kitai diau baka diri menyedi (lebih-lebih agi kita orang Kristian) taja enda sebaka parti tauka bansa. Tuhan Yesus Kristus meh kepalak kitai. Iya meh Berita Manah tu.

Jesus lalu ngangau ka empat iko murid awak ka sida nulong Iya ngerembai ka Berita Manah nya, lalu sama ngau Iya nudok ka perintah Allah Taala. “Titih ka aku, lalu aku deka ngajar saduai jalai ngulih ka mensia,” ko Jesus, iya nya ngulih ka mensia ka dalam Perintah Allah Taala. “Saduai ninggal ka pukat lalu nitih ka iya,” kati ko nuan? Enti Tuhan nyadi Raja sereta Perintah dalam pengidup nuan, tentu nuan sedia ati deka amat enggau Iya nudok ka Perintah Allah Taala dalam ati orang bukai mega. Uji diatu nyerah ka diri enggau pengambis ati awak ka Tuhan ulih beguna ka nuan nudok ka Perintah-Iya ngena sebarang jalai ti di deka Tuhan.

Sembiang

O Tuhan Yesus Kristus, aku nyerah ka diri, peneka enggau pengawa aku, ngagai Nuan awak ka nyadi rakyat Nuan ka peneka Nuan aja dititih dalam semoa pengawa aku. Enti Nuan ngagau ka aku ba sabarang pengawa ngerembai ka Perintah Nuan dikeliling aku – tu meh Aku Tuhan kena meh aku. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Kristus, Aku Deka Pendiau ti Baru

“Tu pun Berita Manah pasal Jesus Kristus, ti Anak Allah Taala. Munyi ti ditulis dalam bup nabi Isaiah, ‘Ku Allah Taala bejaku, ‘Dinga! Aku ngirumka seruan Aku dulu ari Nuan; iya deka nyediaka jalai ke Nuan.’ Siku orang ngagau di menua puang: ‘Sediaka jalai ke Tuhan; Gaga jalai Iya rurus!’’ John Pemaptisa pegari di menua puang, madahka pemaptisa nesal ati ke pengampun dosa. Semua orang ari serata menua Judea, enggau ari Jerusalem mansang ngagai iya. Sida ngaku dosa sida, lalu iya maptisa sida ba Sungai Jordan. Gari John digaga ari bulu unta, lalu belulang ti melit punggung iya digaga ari kulit jelu. Lalu pemakai iya buntak enggau ai manyi. Ku iya madah ngagai orang mayuh, ‘Iya ke datai dudi ari aku lebih agi bekuasa ari aku, datai ke aku enda tau meremi lalu muka tali kasut Iya. Aku udah maptisa kita ngena ai, tang Iya deka maptisa kita ngena Roh Kudus’”

(Mark 1:1-8, Bup Kudus Baru).

Enti Raja empu deka datai tentu seruan iya datai dulu lalu nyedia ka jalai, madah ka orang bakani patut nyendia diri. Iya muai penanggol dulu. Nya meh pengawa John Pemaptisa. Raja ti besai nyau ka datai, ti udah ditulis bala nabi beribu-ribu taun dulu. Dikumbai sida “Messiah” tauka “Kristus.” Iya ka niri ka Perintah Allah Taala di dunya tu, ngasoh samoa bansa nyadi rakyat Iya, ti nitih ka pesan Raja. John, nabi ti pengabis ujong, lalu pengabis besai – Seruan Kristus empu.

“Gari John digaga ari bulu unta, lalu belulang ti melit punggung iya digaga ari kulit jelu. Lalu pemakai iya buntak enggau ai manyi (madu).” Pemakai iya semina chukup ngidup ka diri aja. Iya enda ingin sekali ka utai dunya. Iya ingin ka utai ti besai agi – nyedia ka orang ka penatai Jesus, Anak Allah Taala, iya nya Kristus. Nagang pengingin tuboh kitai, nya siti jalai ngalah ka lalu ngerusak mayoh bengkah penyai. John baka nabi Elijah kelia, ti ngerusak adat Baal, petara kapir, serta enggau imam Baal 40 iko. Baka Elijah mega John ngerusak pendiau kapir ba orang Juda.

John muai penanggol. Lalu penanggol ti besai ari semoa iya nya dosa. “Nesal ati ke dosa kita, laban Perintah serega nyau semak!” (Matthew 3:2). “Semua orang ari serata menua Judea, enggau ari Jerusalem mansang ngagai iya. Sida ngaku dosa sida, lalu iya maptisa sida ba Sungai Jordan.” Iya nyepoh ka sida dalam ai. Udah nya iya ngangkat ka sida baru ari ai. Nya tanda sida ninggal ka pendiau lama ti jai lalu bulih pendiau ti baru ti tuchi.

Pia kitai mega diasoh berubah, nitih ka jalai baru lalu nyadi orang baru. Enti kitai baka nya, Tuhan kitai ka amat datai (Tuhan nang udai datai dulu). Datai dini? Ba ati kitai, ba runding enggau pengawa kitai, ba rumah, ba bilik kitai, ba dunya kitai, ba pengidup kitai, nyadi Raja amat. Suah minta Tuhan Yesus Kristus datai ngambi ka megai nuan amat-amat. Tang kati penanggol udah dibuai ari ati nuan? Iya nya dosa?

Sembiang

Datai O Jesus, dalam ati aku! Amat bisi mayoh macham penyai ti nanggol penatai Nuan.

Buai nya, Tuhan, lalu pegai ati aku, pegai pendiau aku, nuan ti Messiah, Kristus Tuhan aku.

Aku deka bulih pendiau ti baru. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Diambik, disemak, disalin ngau diubah ulih aku ari Mending Ka Tuhan: Berati ka Injil St Mark

Ditusun ulih F.A. Vergeer M.H.M.

Imprimatur: Rt. Rev. Bishop Dominic Su, D.D., Januari, 1996.

Dikeluar ulih: Diocesan Centre, 1, Lanang Road, P.O. Box 495, 96007 Sibu, Sarawak. 

Jesus' Public Identification with the Sinners

“Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. ‘I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,’ he said, ‘so why are you coming to me?’ But Jesus said, ‘It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.’ So John agreed to baptize him” (Matthew 3:13-15, NLT).

John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth had a common message: “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2 and 4:17). For months before Jesus began his ministry, John had been confronting the crowds with their need to turn to God for forgiveness. When the Messiah arrived – that is Jesus – John soon stepped aside, for his role is complete. John knew that he was to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming. Therefore he said, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30).

We don’t know how many encounters John and Jesus had, but Jesus’ baptism stands out in the Gospel story. Imagine, John devoted his life to preparing the way for Jesus, so when Jesus went to the Jordan River, he clearly didn’t expect Jesus ever ask to be baptized along with the crowds.  He knew Jesus had no reason to repent. Jesus never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15). Jesus once challenged the Pharisees to accuse him, “Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin?” (John 8:46) – they can't. Jesus, the God-Man, never sinned and no need to be baptise. So, John replied is understandable. Instead, John suggested that Jesus baptize him. (Mind you, there is no magical about water baptism. It just a symbol. It simply an outward expression and public witnessing of being inwardly baptize by the Spirit of God when we accept Jesus as our Saviour and acknowledge His lordship over our lives.)

Jesus’ answer gives us a glimpse into his acceptance of God’s will over the course of his life. The phrase “we must carry out all that God requires” is similar to Jesus’ later words in the garden of Gethsemane, “I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22:42). By insisting on baptism, Jesus was making public his identification with sinners. He went to the Cross as the ultimate act of substitution, but he began his ministry with this act of obedience that beautifully pictured his eventual purpose. Long before the nails were driven into his flesh, Jesus was taking steps that would make his sacrifice perfect and complete.

Think about this: Both the King (Jesus) and his herald (John the Baptist) had the same message: repent. The herald invited people to demonstrate their inner response with an outward action in baptism. The King submitted to the outward action as a way to confirm that repentance makes a difference in God’s eyes. This has always been the first step in responding to God – we must accept our hopeless condition apart from God’s mercy and respond in simple obedience. The King welcomes the humble and needy who come to him.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Reference:

Life Application Study Bible Devotional: Daily Wisdom from the Life of Jesus (Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2011)

John the Baptist must Become Less Important

“This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, ‘Who are you?’ He came right out and said, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ ‘Well then, who are you?’ they asked. ‘Are you Elijah?’ ‘No,’ he replied. ‘Are you the Prophet we are expecting?’ ‘No.’ ‘Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?’ John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: ‘I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the LORD’s coming!’’” (John 1:19-23, NLT).

All four Gospels highlight the unique role of John the Baptist in the life of Jesus. In Luke 1:36, we know that John and Jesus are distant cousin. John was “a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Matthew 3:3). John’s appearance in the Gospels was a way that reminds us of the Old Testament prophets whose ministry involved unorthodox outfits and unusual diets: “John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4). Small wonder that the religious establishment sent a delegation to John to inquire about his identity. Would he claim to be a prophet? John made it clear he wasn’t a prophet; he was the fulfilment of a prophecy!

John the Baptist knew his role and lived it. He was a charismatic figure whose life and message drew crowds, and he could have cashed in on his notoriety. Instead John used a striking word picture from Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness.” To make sure people didn’t miss the point, he added, “I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal” (John 1:27). John was not seduced by his own stardom, influence and popularity. He knew who the “star” really was and gladly pointed everyone toward Jesus Christ, the Saviour. I love it when John said, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30).

Think about this: “It’s all about me” is the attitude of many in our world today. The bottom line for the Christian, however, is that it isn’t all about me – it’s all about Jesus. Every act, every word, every motive, every plan, every desire should revolve around the centre, Jesus Himself. Only then is life in balance. Only then can we point people to the Saviour. Yes, in our life, Jesus must become greater and greater, and we must become less and less. It’s all about Jesus.

In your act, word, motive, plan, desire and thinking, is it all about Jesus?

How can you make Jesus the central focus of your life today?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus is Far Greater than [Fill-in the Blank]

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son… From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ”

(John 1:14, 16-17, NLT)

John the Baptist (not John the apostle, the writer) acknowledges that Jesus existed long before him when he proclaimed: “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me’” (John 1:15). How can this be? Isn’t John the Baptist was older than Jesus? From Luke 1:26, we learn that Elizabeth, John’s mother and Mary’s cousin, was six months pregnant when angel Gabriel made the grand announcement to Mary. So John was born at least six months before Jesus. But John knew that Jesus was much more than his blood relative through Mary; Jesus was the eternal Son of God, the Messiah. Truly Jesus is “far greater” than John and even Moses and any other Old Testament prophet or king. John the Baptist submitted himself to Jesus and sent his followers to him, to follow Jesus.

Because Jesus is God, he is perfect in every way. He is the perfect example, so we should look to him for an example of how to live. He is the perfect teacher, so we should listen to him and learn about God, morality, relationships, the meaning of life, and the future from and through him. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice, fulfilling the requirements of the law, becoming sin (or put our sins upon himself), and dying in our place, so we should rest in him alone for salvation.

The apostle John (the writer) affirms this by saying that Jesus was “full of unfailing love and faithfulness” and that he had given his people “one gracious blessing after another.” That is, we will never found Jesus lacking in any way. We are to trust Jesus’s ability to meet our needs. All believers receive Christ’s blessings, but nothing can deplete Christ. This is amazing! No matter how much we receive of him, he keeps on giving. We don’t need to seek any other source of spiritual power but Christ! Yes! Christ alone!

Think about this: In a letter to the Hebrews there is a secret to running the race of life. It is written: “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).  Jesus is the initiator and the perfecter of our faith. Jesus is all we need. Maybe the question for us now is – What helps you keep your eyes focused on Christ?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Reference: Life Application Study Bible Devotional: Daily Wisdom from the Life of Jesus (Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2011)

John the Baptist was Beheaded for Telling the Truth (Reflection on Mark 6:17-29)

I heard someone said, “You’re not ready to live until you’re ready to die.” Then I read the Book of Mark and tempted to alter that statement slightly to fit the death of John the Baptist in Mark 6:14-29 like this: “You’re not ready to live for Christ until you’re ready to die for Christ.” That is something that we all need to think about time and time again.

I remember when my senior asked me who my hero is, I answered without a pause, “John the Baptist!” I’m not sure exactly why I said something rash like that, but I was (and is) admired John’s boldness and fearless living. John boldly and publicly scolded Herod for his sinful involvement with Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife by saying, “It isn’t right for you to marry your brother’s wife!” (Mark 6:18, GNB). Because of that Herod imprisoned John. On the other hand, Herodias “held grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not because of Herod. Herod was afraid of John because he knew that John was a good and holy man, and so he kept him safe. He liked to listen to him, even though he became greatly disturbed every time he heard him” (Mark 6:119-20). Herod have a divided heart, a love-hate relationship with John.

But in the end of this recap story by Mark, Herodias eventually succeeded in having John executed. How? Through Herod’s lush and speedy vow he made in front of his guests due to a seductive dance by a young woman a.k.a. his own step daughter! The request was easy and simple: “I want you to give me here and now the head of John the Baptist on a plate!” (Mark 6:25). The reason was also simple: because John was telling the truth. Truth hurt, telling the truth may kill you. Good bye John the Baptist…

Now, I don’t believe that every time we speak out for God and tell the truth we will end up with death sentence. Sometime we may risk our lives, sometime we may just be ignored. But nonetheless, like John the Baptist, we are not ready to live for Christ until we are ready to die for Christ. What if God asked you to put your life in the line by doing something like John? How would you respond? It’s not an easy topic to discuss because humanly speaking we treasured our lives more than Christ (especially, when you read this you’re at your comfortable place and perhaps a good life). It’s easy for me to say to God that I will walk with Him, talk with Him, read His Word and witness for Him, but it’s not easy, even for you, to say “Jesus, I’ll gladly die for you” and mean it.

Seriously, brothers and sisters in Christ, whether we’re able to say and mean it or not, when we signed on as Jesus’ disciples, to follow Him rather than the world systems and religious, we’re signed for the Cross too (with that we also will have eternal life in Him). When we become Christians, true Christians – we are potential martyrs. Living for Jesus means that there is nothing more important than finding out what Jesus loves and hates, feeling and thinking, commands and joyfully obey. We probably, especially in Malaysia, might not experience death as a martyrs today like many Christians throughout the church history or like John the Baptist. But we should always be ready for the possibility (Just read the news). I’m thinking, what is the best way to be ready for the persecutions to come? This sentence from the beginning comes to mind: “You’re not ready to live for Christ until you’re ready to die for Christ.” We must be ready to live every day for Christ. This or never.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Let Jesus Be Jesus (Reflection on Mark 6:14-16)

“Now King Herod heard about all this, because Jesus’ reputation had spread everywhere. Some people were saying, ‘John the Baptist has come back to life! That is why he has this power to perform miracles.’ Others, however, said, ‘He is Elijah.’ Others said, ‘He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.’ When Herod heard it, he said, ‘He is John the Baptist! I had his head cut off, but he has come back to life!’” (Mark 6:14-16, GNB).

After Jesus sends out the twelves disciples (read Mark 6:6-13) for mission around Nazareth nearby villages, “Jesus’ reputation had spread everywhere.” Because of this, there are many speculations about who he really is. Some thought he was Elijah, the great prophet of the Old Testament. It is commonly expected that Elijah would return to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah (However, John the Baptist fulfilled this expectation in preparing the way for Jesus). Others, however, thought that he simply one of the prophets sent by God to Israel. Jesus spoke with authority like no other and probably he was because there had been silent in Israel for three centuries since prophet Malachi.

Most people, like Herod, thought that Jesus was John the Baptist. Of course, both of them preached the message of the Kingdom of God and called people to repentance. Some suggest because Jesus and John were cousins, they might have looked alike. Interesting. But the fact was – John is death. Herod out of his guilty and bad memory said, “I had [John] head cut off, but he has come back to life!” Guilty breed superstition.

I’m surprise, people even today won’t allow Jesus to be Jesus. We like to compare him with other great men of the world. But he is the One and only. None like him. Even though Jesus said “among those born of women there is no one greater than John” (Luke 7:28), John said that Jesus “is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie” (John 1:27). Jesus is greater, incomparable One. Michael Green in his book Navigating the Multi-Faith Maze, writes: “Jesus is unique among religious leaders in claiming to bring God to our world in His own person and making good that claim by such powerful evidences.” When I read the Gospel stories and think of history of today, no other spiritual leader or teacher but Jesus of Nazareth ever claimed to bring God to man, dealt radically with our wickedness, broke the final barrier of death and to offers to ‘live inside’ his followers.

C.S. Lewis, my favourite author, said that when it comes to the categorical claims of Jesus Christ regarding his Divinity, “There is no half-way house, and there is no parallel in other religions. If you had gone to Buddha and asked him, ‘Are you the son of Brahah?’ he would have said, ‘My son, you are still in the vale of illusion.’ If you had gone to Socrates and asked, ‘Are you Zeus?’ he would have laughed at you. If you had gone to Muhammad and asked, ‘Are you Allah?’ he would first have rent his clothes and then cut off your head.” When the high priest asked Jesus, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:63-64, NLT). No denial. Directly answered. Jesus, are you the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God? Yes, you say that I am.

Do you want to know Jesus? Let him be as he is. Let he tells you His Story through God’s Word, the Bible, especially the gospel stories. Don’t be afraid. There is no spell or magical charm about the Bible. The Bible is just a book, an ordinary book. The greatness about the Bible is the Person behind the book. This is why the Bible, on the other hand, is extraordinary. Your religious teachers may advice you to stay away from the book, but don’t be afraid. Let Jesus be Jesus. Another way is through Prayer. Pray like this: “Jesus, I don’t know if you’re for real or not. I want to know you more. Amen.” Be open to any guidance in your life. See that if you really looking for the truth, God will show you the way. Let Jesus be Jesus. Another way or as compliment to the Bible and prayer is to join God’s People Worshiping Together. There is something unique about Christians coming together. Don’t be afraid. Just enter in, dress appropriately, people won’t chase you away. Your present in the ‘live’ worship may just a stepping stone for Jesus to speak to you. The people won’t convert you, the presence of the Holy Spirit will. No force. Jesus want to be known, that’s all. Let Jesus be Jesus.

[Let continue Mark 6:17-29 on another article]

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Going to Start Something Big (A Reflection on Mark 1:9-13)

Baptism and Temptation of Christ by Paolo Veronese

“Not long afterward Jesus came from Nazareth in the province of Galilee,

and was baptized by John in the Jordan…

At once the Spirit made him go into the desert,

where he stayed forty days, being tempted by Satan” (Mark 1:9-13, GNB)

I remember when we celebrated The Marathon: 10^th Anniversary of FES Sarawak, we use this phase for the program flow – On You Mark! Get Set! Go! Mark 1:9:13 are like the start of a race. They described Jesus’ entrance into public ministry. Here I notice that Mark, the writer, briefly includes 2 steps of preparation which Jesus took before He “Go!” – Baptism and Temptation.

On Your Mark!

I was wondered why Jesus was baptized? Isn’t baptism is the outward expression that a person has turned from sin to God? But Jesus was never sinned! John the Baptist also was puzzled when Jesus came to him for baptism (Matthew 3:14). As I studied the Scripture deeper, I understand now that the ultimate purpose of Jesus life, death and resurrection was to provide us His righteousness in exchange for our sinfulness. He became sin that we might become righteous. He humbled Himself even to the point of appearing (in public!) like a sinful man. Thank you Jesus.

Get Set!

I also was curious why Jesus needed to be tempted? Now (at least) I can be in peace with this part of the Scripture because of these 3 reasons: 1) God was not worried about losing Jesus to Satan or having His plan of redemption ruined. Satan tried to make Jesus sin, but Jesus proved that (or God proved that) He would stand. In fact, Jesus would not sin and ruined Satan’s plan instead; 2) Through temptation, Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted as a human being and thus provide an encouragement and strength to resist sin and Satan ‘s scheme. He shows the way and gives us strength by the power of the Holy Spirit in us now to do the same; and 3) Jesus shows that He resisted temptation with the Word of God “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4, 6,10). God’s Word is a primary source to resist temptation. Period.

Go!

In Jesus’ humanity, baptism and temptation identified Him so completely with our sinful condition. In Jesus’ divinity, however, baptism and temptation proved that He came from God. During His baptism a voice came from heaven said, “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you” (Mark 1:11); and after His temptation “angels came and helped him” (1:13). With John the Baptist had been prisoned, and two critical steps of preparation behind Him, Jesus began His public ministry. He began preaching in Galilee. On Your Mark! Get Set! Go!

World, are you ready?

Or are you ready for the world?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

There, Look at Jesus (Reflection on Mark 1:1-8)

“John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching.

‘Turn away from your sins and be baptized,’ he told the people,

‘and God will forgive your sins.’” (Mark 1:4, GNB)

If there was anyone in the New Testament who shouted so loud, it was John the Baptist. If there was anyone who dressed and ate weird stuffs as honey-coated grasshoppers, it was John the Baptist. If there was anyone that God want to use to prepare “a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3), then it was none other than John the Baptist.

The Gospel of Mark begins the story about Jesus Christ “the Son of God” (Mark 1:1) by introducing John the Baptist – the forerunner of Christ. A forerunner is a messenger sent ahead to prepare the way for another person. Jesus’ entrance into the world was so special to God that He sent John to prepare people for the Saviour’s coming. And he had done a great job!

John the Baptist pointed the way to Christ

With John as a prophet in their midst and the words of repentance for the forgiveness of sins proclaimed – many Jews heard him, repented and changed their attitudes about God. Now their attention (at least most of them) was on God. Oh this is amazing: once John had turned people’s attention to God; he then focused that attention on God’s Son in human flesh, Jesus Christ. As people listened intently to John, he said:
“The man who will come after me is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to bend down and untie his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 7-8, GNB).

I understand you and I may not feel like dressing and preaching the way John does, but if we’re followers of Christ, our business, like John’s, is to change people’s attitudes about God and focus their attention on Jesus Christ. Every time John saw Jesus coming, he said something like these: “There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29); “I tell you that he is the Son of God” (1:34); “There is the Lamb of God!” (1:36). John was basically said, “There, look at Jesus!”

As we point others to Jesus – introducing Him through our actions and words – Jesus at the same time will begin to introduce Himself to them on the inside through the Holy Spirit. If God can use a single man to introduce Jesus to the people in the desert, He can certainly use you and me where we are today – universities and campuses, workplace and home, markets and on the street – to Jesus, the Saviour of the world. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.