As I was reading John 1 again today, I was struck by a simple thought. John knew his role in the ministry of Jesus. He came to point to the light. "He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light." (John 1:8) He knew his role well - knew of the prophecy of Isaiah describing it (40:3) - to 'make straight the way of the LORD.'
What struck me about this man was that he expected repentance. How do I know this? He was calling men to repent and be baptized - an outward sign of an inward change. And where was he preaching? He was beside the river. Why do you think John chose to preach repentance beside the river? Do you think he actually believed that some people would believe him and want to repent? That they would be baptized? He not only believed it, he actively pursued his belief by preparing their way as well. He preached by the river, because He expected people to repent, and was at the place where they could testify to their repentance.
So many times I read these passages and see John crying out, "Behold the Lamb of God!" Other times I, along with many get wrapped up in the theology of baptism - John's or Jesus' - and miss the simple beauty of this servant. Actively obeying his commission. Go and prepare the way of the LORD, call people to repent, and guide them through their response in the waters of baptism. John was so committed to what he believed that he acted in faith on what God would do in the lives of those listening. He believed that Jesus would change them, so he prepared them to meet Jesus. Jesus was absolutely John's focus.
Was it any surprise that Jesus knew where to find John? He came right to him - because He knew John would be at his post. He was posted up by the water, where he expected people to be changed by God. Where would Jesus find us if He came today? At a board room table? In a conference? Attending yet another gathering of the saints? Or will He find us at our post? Would He find us where the people are who need to be changed - who need to prepare to meet Jesus?
We are so complicated when it comes to ministry in our generation. Hours of planning, mounds of paperwork, thousands of dollars in programs and personnel and plywood. Meeting after strategic meeting to determine what to do, and how to do it. Is it really so difficult? Or can it be boiled down to the simple? Tell people, "Get ready to meet Jesus. He is the Son of God. He takes away the sin of the world." And when you tell them, make sure you are by the river.
