The followers of John the Baptist were looking for someone to show them a better way of life. Most likely they felt something missing in their lives and they were searching. John told them “I am but a voice crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Like John the Baptist’s followers, many of us are looking for something more meaningful in our lives. Many of us have stressed out schedules and demanding jobs. We teach our children to become over extended in extra curricular activities. We talk on our cell phones while driving our cars. When we finally retire to get some rest, we often become over volunteered. In my case I would have to say that here I am retired and I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. What does God want me to do with the rest of my life?
We seem to be craving all the earthly pleasures this world can provide but maybe we are failing to see the awesome treasure that can be found in Jesus Christ. We are becoming a thing oriented society instead of a people oriented society. We have fewer evening meals together, fewer family nights or get togethers, and then we usually have the TV blaring in the background or we are too busy texting on our cell phones to carry on a meaningful conversation with those around us.
John the Baptist tells us Jesus is the One we have been waiting for. When I baptized Him, the heavens were opened up for Him and I saw the Spirit of God descending upon Him like a dove, and a voice saying “this is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” He is indeed our Savior. Jesus will come and save you if you will kneel and humbly pray to quench this thirsting in my soul. Fill my cup, baptize me with the Holy Spirit and make me whole. Jesus says, “come to Me all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.”
Today’s psalm reads, I have waited for the Lord and He stooped toward me and heard my cry. And he put a new song in my mouth. Here I am Lord, I come to do Your will. In nature we observe that when honey bees find a source of pollen, they rush back to the hive and tell everyone what they found and where they found it. Ants do the same thing. We should learn from this and be eager to tell everyone the good news about our Savior Jesus Christ and where and how we found Him.
Jesus says, I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6
Lloyd Lapierre
