Call Me J.B

A strange figure stands in the middle of the river up to his waist, the muddy brown water swirling around his legs. He's got long, wild hair - and is that a grasshopper you see sticking out of his mouth? No matter -- this guy's not going to get voted most Mr. congeniality. His simple tunic is bound with a broad leather belt. This guy doesn't look like he's ever seen the inside of a house, much less a tailor. His eyes are like fire, and so are his words.

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" [1]

The religious leaders are standing on the river bank, dressed in formal attire, being very careful not to get too near the water lest they get pulled in (You can tell this guy has sort of a mischievous character -- not mean, but it certainly wouldn't bother him if one of the leaders fell in -- robes and all!).

But it's his words that burn like fire - nobody ever spoke to religious people like this:

"Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?[2]

Flee? Why would these guys need to flee? If anyone's in tight with God, it's these guys. Day and night they pray, and oh, look how much they give to the church. You could call these guys professionally religious. They seem incredibly upset at his words, but you don't see why - this guy has a strange message. He doesn't claim he's superior to these leaders, in fact, you might say he's got a self-image problem (he keeps referring to someone else).

He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.[3]

What kind of religious instruction is this? His whole message is pointing to someone else -- I'm sure his TV ratings are not very good. He certainly isn't claiming to be somebody great himself, yet he has a dislike for these other leaders -- you could call him downright anti-religious. He speaks again about this man who is to come after him.

His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.[4]

Maybe that's why the leaders are so upset -- he seems to indicate their exclusive club is over.

Who is this guy? And more important, what does he have to do with me? His story is told in Matthew 3 and Mark 1, but the issue is simple: everyone wants to know how to get to God, and this guy teaches a different way than "religious" leaders. Perhaps you've heard of him: John the Baptist. If he was around today, his camel would have dual saddlebags and chrome exhaust. And he'd be just as unpopular. But what can we learn from him? What is so vitally important about his message?

People have a strange idea Christianity is a religion. But it's not. Comparing the "religious" people with John the Baptist's message yields some astounding differences. Religion is everyone giving directions -- this way to God, that way to God, try this way to God. Meditation, good works, trying to find the "good" in you, waiting for your "next life" -- all are man's religious ideas, each saying to you "this way to God". But each one is somebody's idea of how to find God. Isn't there a simpler way? That's the message of J.B.

As we look at this strange character John the baptist, we see two lessons for us.

First, he says "I am not the Christ". This may be obvious, but before we gloss over it and move on, it's easy to try to assume the role of God. Whenever we think we can do something ourselves, we are in essence saying "I am the Christ" -- step aside God, I'll handle it from here on out.

When Adam sinned by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, we inherited his curse. We too have the knowledge of good and evil, and because of that we have the problem of not relying on God. Imagine being in the garden of Eden before the fall. Everything had to be checked with God first - Is it ok to eat that big steak (yes!), burgers (yes!), quiche (NO!). (Yes it's true they didn't eat meat until later, but you get the idea). But since we know good and evil, it's easy to fall into a trap and think some things are easy, we'll not bother God with this petty problem, we can handle it ourselves. But John reminds us "I am not the Christ".

But in a broader sense, we have another problem John shows the solution to. In many situations (due to pride), we think we are the "I AM", perhaps not God himself (despite what Shirley McLaine might say), but a more subtle deception:

Man has been trying for thousands of years to help himself. Some people even go so far as to study for years to help others (we call this psychology). But it never works. Why? "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV)". Only God knows the heart, and it's the heart that has the problem. Psychology can never solve the problem, for it can't get to the root of the problem: sin. We all deal with a sin problem, and the cure is Jesus. Psychology can't get to the problem, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV)". Only God's word can speak to our problem.

As an aside, the failure of psychology does NOT mean we should never seek council, but we must be sure to seek the right kind of council. Lying on a couch while some bearded guy with a cigar asks questions about your mother is doomed to failure. The kind of council we should seek out is a person who is well-grounded in the Word of God, who can pray with us, and urge us to seek the Lord's guidance. And perhaps remind us of things we already know, and exhort us to do them. Sometimes we know what we should do, yet our flesh doesn't want to yield to God. At this time Godly council should be sought out. Just don't expect answers from man; none will be coming.

Whenever we have the idea we can help ourselves (or someone else), we must remember, I AM ... NOT! Pride can cause us to think more of ourselves than we really are, and satan wants to deceive us into trying things ourselves. Why? Because he knows by ourselves (in our own power), we are easy prey. But how do we avoid being trapped in these false ideas, which have their root in pride? J.B. has the answer.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29 NKJV)

All John says is "take a look at this guy". That's our job. As soon as we realize we have no power ourselves, we must seek the one who does have the ability to save us. Jesus is the only one who can say I AM. I AM what? Anything you need. Jesus is all you need.

"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? (Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5 NKJV)

Pride says "I am", reality and an honest assessment of ourselves says "I AM.... NOT!"

It's all Jesus -- that's the message of John the Baptist. Anytime someone tries to take credit for Jesus' work, or claim they are able to help, advise, or save, remember the message of J.B. We must remember our job is only to present the Gospel. But too many Christians use a "sandwich board" approach to evangelism. You know the kind, walking the streets with a sign yelling "the end is near!". And of course it is, but the point is you must learn to speak the truth without getting out of control. If people reject Jesus' offer of salvation, it's their choice. Let's remember the simple message of Jesus Christ.

So call me J.B.

[1] Matthew 3:3 NKJV

[2] Matthew 3:7 NKJV

[3] Matthew 3:11 NKJV

[4] Matthew 3:12 NKJV

Copyright © 1999-2008 Darrin Yeager. http://www.dyeager.org

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For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV)