Key Thought

John was incredible! The voice of God through the prophets had not been heard for hundreds of years in Israel. When John the Baptist came on the scene, people flocked to hear him. They recognized in the clarity of his words something that can only come from God. He lived his life and used his ministry to serve Jesus and open the hearts of people for the coming of the Christ. John spoke the truth regardless of who listened or who cared. This integrity and godly character were what got John in trouble with Herod. As great as John was, Jesus says that those in God's Kingdom are greater still -- not because of what those in the Kingdom have done or will do, but because of the grace of God given through Jesus' atoning sacrifice and adoption into the family of God.

Today's Prayer

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Father, thank you for the incredible example of John the Baptist. Use me to be a servant for the message of Jesus. Help me to have the integrity of John as I try to speak your truth. Give me the courage to do your will, even under threat and opposition. Thank you for viewing me as your child and a part of your Kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

John's followers told John about all these things. John called for two of his followers. John sent them to the Lord (Jesus) to ask, "Are you the One that is coming, or should we wait for another person?" So the men came to Jesus. They said, "John the Baptizer sent us to you with this question: 'Are you the One that is coming, or should we wait for another person?'" At that time, Jesus healed many people of their sicknesses, diseases, and evil spirits {from the devil}. Jesus healed many blind people so that they could see again. Then Jesus said to John's followers, "Go tell John the things that you saw and heard here. Blind people are healed and can see. Crippled people are healed and can walk. People with leprosy are healed. Deaf people are healed and can hear. Dead people are given life. And the Good News {about God's kingdom} is given to the poor people. What great blessings there are for the person that can accept me!" When John's followers left, Jesus began to tell the people about John: "What did you people go out into the desert to see? A weed blown by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. Those people that have fine, nice clothes live in kings' houses. Really, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you, John is more than a prophet. This was written about John: 'Listen! I (God) will send my helper ahead of you. He will prepare the way for you.' I tell you, John is greater than any man ever born. But even the least important person in the kingdom of God is greater than John." (When the people heard this, they all agreed that God's teaching was good. Even the tax collectors agreed. These were the people that were baptized by John. But the Pharisees and teachers of the law refused to accept God's plan for themselves; they did not let John baptize them.) "What shall I say about the people of this time? What can I compare them to? What are they like? The people of this time are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group of children calls to the other children and says, 'We played flute music for you, but you did not dance; we sang a sad song, but you did not cry.' John the Baptizer came and did not eat {like other people} or drink wine. And you say, 'He has a demon inside him.' The Son of Man came eating {like other people} and drinking wine. And you say, 'Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much wine! He is a friend of the tax collectors and other bad people!' But wisdom is shown to be right by the things it does."

— Luke 7:18-35 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.