January 15 Readings: Genesis 31–32, Matthew 11:1–19, Psalm 9:11–20, Proverbs 2:3–5

Links to Today's Readings: Genesis 31–32, Matthew 11:1–19, Psalm9:11–20, Proverbs 2:3–5

John the Baptist was unique in many ways. He boldly proclaimed truth calling people to repentance, without regard to people's worldly status. He denied himself to serve the purposes of God. Eventually, he gave his life for his bold proclamation.

But in Matthew 11:1-15, we see an interesting transition taking place. John the Baptist was the biggest news in Israel for a long time. People were coming from all over to hear him preach and to be baptized for the repentance of sins. Some loved him while others hated him. But he was the biggest news in Israel.

Then, one day, along came his cousin Jesus, whom he likely knew since childhood. Jesus, as an act of obedience but not of repentance was baptized in the Jordan River. When he came up out of the Jordan, God spoke to those who were there, expressing his pleasure with his Son and sending the Spirit in the form of a dove.

That is when the change started happening. After Jesus disappeared for 40 days into the wilderness, he went into Galilee with power and authority to proclaim the Kingdom of God. And suddenly a new name was on everyone's lips. "Have you heard about this Jesus guy?" Jesus' ministry was on the ascendancy and John began to fade into the background.

And that never once seemed to bother John. Here, in Matthew 11, he questions Jesus to make sure he was the One. In another place, he said, "He must increase and I must decrease." It was all about Jesus. He rejoiced that people who used to follow him now followed Jesus. He gladly faded into oblivion so that the name of Jesus could be exalted.

What an example for all of us. I am so prone to make everything about me. My needs. My goals. My reputation. My comfort. Me...me...me. But John was a great example. God called him to a crucial role - introducing Israel to Jesus. He "prepared the way of the Lord." Is that not what each of us is called to do - to prepare the way of Jesus Christ into this world?

Sioux City needs Jesus Christ - badly! This comfortable, conservative Midwestern town is enslaved to sin and broken by it. And we have the words of Christ that we need to share. Make him known. Prepare the way of the Lord into your neighborhood, into your workplace, into this city.

Lord, may I be like John the Baptist, who humbled himself and devoted himself to your work. May I never make it about me, but may it always be about your Son! And may I, like John, help to prepare the way of the Lord into every sinful place in Siouxland.