Louise McEvoy, Adult Ministries Coordinator, John the B Fan Club Life Member

Matthew 3:4-12

4 Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Reflection:

I love college football. I have loved this game for decades. One of my most favorite players to watch is the fullback. I know, it’s not the most glamorous position, but when a fullback can make a wide hole (a clear path) for the running back behind him…it is magnificent and the crowd usually goes WILD. Fullbacks are strong and they can see the big picture. Most importantly, they know what they need to do for the team, even when they may not get any of the glory.

If Jesus put together a football team, John the Baptist would be the fullback. I just know it. As far as I’m concerned, he is the fullback of the Bible. Verses 5-6 tell us how many came to him – people of Jerusalem and all of Judea. He drew large crowds. With all his teachings and baptisms, John got a lot of attention. His physical appearance and diet made him quite identifiable (verse 4). Yet, he was not working to bring attention to himself. Instead, he wanted everyone to notice who’s next. The One who is coming is more powerful than him and John was not worthy enough to carry his sandals (verse 11). He was creating a clear path for all to see Jesus. He knew he would not be the one who wins the ultimate game for the Kingdom, but he was willing to do what it took to help everyone know the Star Player.

Even before John is born, we get a glimpse of him expressing awareness of whose presence he is in (Luke 1:41) when he leaped in his Mama’s belly. John knew his place. He knew where he fit in God’s larger plan and he knew his part in that plan. To prepare for Jesus’ ministry, he not only instructed his audience to repent, but he told the Pharisees and Sadducees how to truly repent. What they were doing was not going to cut it. In verse 8, he announced that their lives must bear fruit that is worthy of repentance. Just jumping into the Jordan River was not true repentance. Being a descendant of Abraham’s family was not enough. Verses 10 and 12 describe the consequences of not living to this higher standard of repentance and having a life that does not bear good fruit. The One who is coming will burn the chaff “with unquenchable fire.” John’s message is that you must truly repent and change your ways so that your life is worthy of the Kingdom.

John the Baptist is so integral to God’s plan that his story is not limited to the Gospel of Matthew. Hundreds of years before John was born, the prophet Isaiah mentioned John and his role: “The voice of the one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight” (Matt 3:3; Isaiah 40:3). In addition, John the Baptist made such a significant impact on Jesus’ arrival that the other three gospel writers also include his story as they begin their respective versions of the very good news of Jesus Christ. (Mark 1, Luke 1 & 3, John 1)

This faithful servant had such great devotion to his calling and to his job for God’s Kingdom. How can you be a fullback for Jesus, making the way for others to see the love and light of Christ? Is there an inner fullback in you?

Prayer:

Heavenly Coach, we know the star player of your team is Jesus. Now and forever. We are honored to be like John the Baptist and have a supporting role on the team. Help us to do good deeds for the Kingdom that do not highlight our accomplishments, but let our choices and actions bring all the glory to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.