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Devotionals
Updated: Mar 30, 2024
John the Baptist‘s mission was addressed to all ranks and stations of Jewish society. His message was that God's judgment on the world was imminent and that, to prepare for this judgment, the people should repent their sins, be baptized, and produce appropriate fruits of repentance.
While Christians recognize John the Baptist as a great prophet, others do as well. John the Baptist is a well-known name in Christian households as he he ushered in the long-awaited Messiah. He ate locusts and honey while living in the wilderness. He even baptized Jesus. But Christians aren’t the only ones who recognize John the Baptist’s importance.
John, known as Yahya in Arabic, is praised by Muslims as well. He is one of twenty-five prophets mentioned in the Quran, and it is said that anyone who denounces John also denounces Islam.
While both the Quran and the Bible mention John’s miraculous birth and his righteous way of living, only the Bible reveals his greater purpose: “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17).
References:
Jesus ”the” Project Manager?
There is some evidence that the Greek word used for “carpenter” (tekton) could also be translated more broadly as “artisan,” “contractor,” or “handyman.” It is possible, therefore, that Jesus and Joseph were the sort of men you call when something needs to be fixed—be it made of wood, stone, or something else. It is also possible that they acted as civil engineers, even designing bridges or other structures that were needed by the people of the town. This throws an interesting light on Jesus’ later comments about the temple. As they were going past the temple, His disciples, perhaps knowing of His interests and past profession, pointed out the grandeur of the great buildings. Jesus told His disciples that those structures would all be thrown down (Mark 13:2). In addition to being a prophecy, Jesus’ words were perhaps a reminder of the importance of the spiritual over the physical.
Jesus made a prophecy that the Jews would destroy the temple and that He would raise it up again in three days. By this, He was referring to His resurrection (John 2:19–21). Looking back on that statement after His death and resurrection, the disciples believed in Him (verse 22). The night of His arrest, Jesus told His disciples of a future building project of His: “I go and prepare a place for you” (John 14:3). The Son of God and the Carpenter of Nazareth is right now building His church (Matthew 16:18) and preparing an eternal dwelling place for all who trust in Him.
Reference: Gotquestions.com
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