THURSDAY December 5, 2019
Turning People to the Lord
“For he [John] will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.”
Luke 1:15-16
In these verses of Scripture, there is a prophetical glimpse into the call of Zacharias’ and Elizabeth’s child. An angel told Zacharias that his wife was going to have a son, even though she was past the age of childbearing. He was to name his child John. Later, while John was still within his mother’s womb, he leapt with joy at Mary’s announcement to Elizabeth that God had chosen her to bear the Son of God in her womb.
Later, when John began his ministry, he became known as John the Baptist, the messenger who would proclaim the coming of Jesus Christ––the Messiah. John preached a simple message, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2) Johnfulfilled the prophecy spoken by the prophet Isaiah: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God”(Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3). Elijah was a type of John the Baptist (Malachi 4:5-6), John would be God’s messenger who was to go before Jesus to prepare His people for their coming King.
After John’s death, Jesus said of him: “For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist…” (Luke 7:28).As ambassadors of Jesus Christ, we are to give the message of the Gospel to those who are perishing. God can use each of our lives to bring a message of hope that will turn people’s hearts to accept Christ this Christmas.
This Christmas, accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Give Him the gift that He wants––your heart, your soul, your life.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!