The Paris 2024 Paralympic and Olympic torch relays were also known as the “Forerunners’ Relays”. Eleven thousand forerunners took part to pave the way for the celebrations ahead of the Olympic Games, and to showcase the beauty of France’s natural and cultural heritage. The forerunners were chosen to represent diversity in order to promote the importance of an inclusive society: women and men, national and local public figures, people selected from the general public, and persons with disabilities. The forerunners carried and passed on the flame for 68 days covering approximately 3100 miles.
The ultimate Forerunner, John the Baptist, was ordained by God to carry the greatest torch of all time; a message calling people to repent and to prepare people for the coming of the Lord. WOW! What an incredible mission and ministry. John is the one the prophet Isaiah had spoken about.; ”A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God." In Matthew 3:11-12 John says, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
In today’s devotional reading we see the beginning of the end of Jesus’ public ministry as Jesus is going away from Jerusalem and away from the politics and from a very tense situation. It’s interesting where he ends up . . . in the place where John began baptizing. Let’s read John 10:40-42.
“Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus.”
Jesus returned to where John began the ministry. Remarkable!!! Jesus did not run away from Jerusalem, he retreated to a place of preparation. The same place where John the Baptist was preparing people by giving them a baptism of repentance is now the place where Jesus prepares for his final days. Have you ever noticed that whenever Jesus withdrew, people followed him? Some of the most precious moments in Jesus’ ministry did not take place in the temple or in Jerusalem, but out in the wilderness where he was alone. It’s encouraging to know that Jesus will meet us anywhere.
Check out verse 42 again: “and in that place many believed in Jesus.” Exclusive in an Inclusive World. The testimony of John the Baptist pointed to Jesus who WAS the Gospel. John put the spotlight on JESUS. John gave EXCLUSIVE honor to Christ.
“ . . . “many believed in Jesus.” Despite the opposition of man, God’s work continues! We see evidence of the growth of a movement. This month the Olympic Flame was officially extinguished symbolizing the end of the 2024 Games. Let us be a people who stay on fire for God, who have a passion to see the fire of God sweep this nation, this world. I pray we don’t cease to shine. May we continually be a witness and let our light shine before others while putting the spotlight on truth, on Jesus.
The ultimate Forerunner, John the Baptist, was ordained by God to carry the greatest torch of all time; a message calling people to repent and to prepare people for the coming of the Lord. WOW! What an incredible mission and ministry. John is the one the prophet Isaiah had spoken about.; ”A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God." In Matthew 3:11-12 John says, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
In today’s devotional reading we see the beginning of the end of Jesus’ public ministry as Jesus is going away from Jerusalem and away from the politics and from a very tense situation. It’s interesting where he ends up . . . in the place where John began baptizing. Let’s read John 10:40-42.
“Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus.”
Jesus returned to where John began the ministry. Remarkable!!! Jesus did not run away from Jerusalem, he retreated to a place of preparation. The same place where John the Baptist was preparing people by giving them a baptism of repentance is now the place where Jesus prepares for his final days. Have you ever noticed that whenever Jesus withdrew, people followed him? Some of the most precious moments in Jesus’ ministry did not take place in the temple or in Jerusalem, but out in the wilderness where he was alone. It’s encouraging to know that Jesus will meet us anywhere.
Check out verse 42 again: “and in that place many believed in Jesus.” Exclusive in an Inclusive World. The testimony of John the Baptist pointed to Jesus who WAS the Gospel. John put the spotlight on JESUS. John gave EXCLUSIVE honor to Christ.
“ . . . “many believed in Jesus.” Despite the opposition of man, God’s work continues! We see evidence of the growth of a movement. This month the Olympic Flame was officially extinguished symbolizing the end of the 2024 Games. Let us be a people who stay on fire for God, who have a passion to see the fire of God sweep this nation, this world. I pray we don’t cease to shine. May we continually be a witness and let our light shine before others while putting the spotlight on truth, on Jesus.