Leveraging John the Baptist
Jesus was born to a poor, obscure family. He came from Galilee, the most backward area of Israel. And he had to grow up with the cloud constantly over his head of having been born illegitimate, a “kiss of death” in first-century A.D. Jewish society. To overcome these obstacles and be recognized by his fellow Israelites as the Lord Christ, he sought to join with John the Baptist, his kinsman and Israel’s popular but antiestablishment Billy Graham of the day.
Jesus’ plan—and God’s plan—was to use John the Baptist’s popularity and his support for Jesus as a springboard for Jesus to become accepted by both the popular masses and the priestly elite as the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus would then re-energize Judaism and the Jewish people with the vision of building God’s Kingdom on earth. Judaism, now with the “lamb of God” and “root of Jesse” as its incarnate leader, would become a religion of evangelists, fanning out to Rome (especially), all over the Roman Empire, and beyond, to Hindu, Buddhist, Confucianist, and shamanist lands.
Jesus’ message of oneness with God and of true love binding together all peoples beyond race, religion, and culture would resonate with people all over the world, eventually creating a whole new global society.
How This Helps Us Have a Real Relationship With the Real Jesus
When we realize how much Jesus had riding on the success of his plan, we can admire and love Him so much more. It gives us a new sense of how great God’s love is for all His children all over the world (“God so loved the world...”). It gives us a new respect for the awesome breadth of His vision (to cast His salvation net over all people, not missing a single one of His sheep).
Spiritual Exercises
● To appreciate God’s inclusive vision and Jesus’ desire to reach every person, reflect on the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7). Consider how this parable illustrates God's concern for each individual. Spend time in quiet contemplation, asking yourself how you can embody this same inclusive love in your interactions with others, ensuring no one feels overlooked or excluded.
—> To expand your awareness and love for all of God’s children worldwide, spend time in prayer focusing on different regions and peoples of the world. Pray for peace, justice, and the spread of God’s love to those who may not know it. You can use a world map or a list of countries to guide your prayers, remembering that God’s love encompasses every individual.
● To cultivate a deeper appreciation of the vastness of God’s love and Jesus’ global mission, find a quiet space and meditate on the quote “God so loved the world...” (John 3:16). Allow yourself to contemplate the immensity of this love, encompassing all people and all nations. Imagine Jesus’ vision of a world united in God’s love. Pray for the grace to see others as God sees them and to participate in this grand vision through your own life and actions.