Why did John the Baptist have such an Impact?
What made this guy so special?
His one sermon topic consisted of condemning words and judgment. He called the religious 
leaders “snakes” and demanded they repent—quickly!
Abrasive. Hard-headed. Bold. Fearless. John the Baptist spoke harsh spiritual truths to anyone who’d listen. Peasants, fishermen, priests, brick layers, kings, potters, enemy Roman soldiers—he blasted them all, with strong word pictures about God’s wrath against sinners.
Men and women who repented got dunked under water. If it was someone John didn’t like, they may have gotten held under the water’s surface a little bit longer. His dress? Rough camel’s hair with a leather belt. His meals? John chowed down on locusts.
Insects.
Locusts for Breakfast?
Of course, being a devote Jew, John followed the dietary laws in Leviticus and only ate “clean” insects.
20 “‘All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be regarded as unclean by you. 21 There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground.22 Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. 23 But all other flying insects that have four legs you are to regard as unclean. (Leviticus 11:20-23 NIV)
Grasshoppers, crickets and locusts were easily caught. John may have cooked insects in a stew, or roasted or dried them instead. Eating locusts revealed his poverty. Only the poorest Israelites ate insects.
Who would ever seek out this crazy man to learn from him?
Unbelievably, everyone did.
People from all over Judea, including soldiers from the occupying Roman army, came out to hear the prophet’s words and to repent of their sins.
John the Baptist didn’t cause a stir in Israel; he caused an uproar.
But how?
There is no Wasted Effort
Christians can be called and faithfully serve the Lord their entire lives, yet have no visible fruit.
Some believers who enter the mission field spend their whole lives preparing their adopted country’s “spiritual soil.”
Digging up rocks of ignorance. Chopping down the dead trees of idolatry. Swinging a spiritual pickax to break up the sin-hardened earth.
These Christians do occasionally scatter a little seed here and there, but nothing takes root. Instead, all the seeds of the gospel seem to fall on hard stone. Missionaries who weep and pray and labor in a foreign land, get to the end of their lives feeling like they’ve failed.
No sinners repented.
No one came to Christ.
Yet I believe God is pleased by all their hard work.
These faithful believers will find out in Heaven that they accomplished all the Lord gave them to do. Someone has to prepare each country’s spiritual soil. Later, other Christ-followers will plant the seed and reap the harvest. But the earlier work is essential in fulfilling the Savior’s purposes.
The Holy Spirit Works in the Heart
No matter how gifted we are, we can’t control the outcome. Yet it’s vital to faithfully do the tasks Jesus has called each one of us to do.
But we can’t change any person’s life or eternal destiny.
God gives us good works to do, but by ourselves we can’t accomplish anything.
- The evangelist has no power to save people.
- A preacher, no matter how talented, can’t cause a single person to feel convicted and repent.
- A Bible teacher can’t change anyone’s mind.by unfolding spiritual truth.
- The intercessor cries out to God about an urgent need for a believer in another country, but never hears what happened as a result of his or her prayers.
We are not in control.
But God is.
When we obey, the Holy Spirit works alongside us to transform lives.
Remember John the Baptist?
His powerful influence was due to the Spirit’s work in the hearts of God’s people. John spoke the message God had placed on his heart. The Holy Spirit then used John’s words to make the Jewish nation ready for their coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.
After we obey, God is in charge of what happens next.
Are you longing to be used by God?
Do the work the Lord gives you to do.
We’ll find out in Heaven the life-changing miracles He achieved using our words and our deeds.
These images came from Pixabay.com.
