Not John the Baptist. I am struck by how, if John were trying to do ministry today, he was going against all conventional wisdom. We read in Matthew 3:1-4
Matthew 3:1-4
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’ ”
4 John’s clothes were made of camel hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
He was in the desert. How did the people find him?
He preached repentance. It’s not a friendly message.
He was dressed in Camel’s hair and belt. Definitely not staying with the in-crowd.
He ate locusts. Wouldn’t it deter people from joining him if that information got around?
Yet, look at verses 5-7
5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
I’m not sure I’m fully ready to take on John’s ministry model, but it does give me pause.
God, what are you asking me to do? And how do You want me to go about it? For Your glory. Work through us, Father, that many may come to place their faith in Your Son.
