When I think of calls, I think of telephones. There are some calls you hate to hear. Telemarketers for example are getting a bad name. But, there are other calls you don’t want to miss. They could be important. Obviously people feel the need to be in touch. Just visit your local mall and see how many are running around with a cell phone stuck in their ear. The same is true wherever you go. John the Baptist didn’t have a phone, but his call is the most important call we could ever hear. John was the first prophet to step on the Jewish scene in over four hundred years. His was indeed a unique voice crying in the wilderness. When he spoke the people listened but sadly many did not heed. Jesus said in Mt 11:11 “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:” If Jesus points to John the Baptist as one of the most outstanding men ever born, certainly we need to listen to his message. What made John the Baptist’s call so unique? First, it was a

CALL TO REPENTANCE (Mt 3:2)
“Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

John called the rebellious nation of Israel to repentance. Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of direction. It is turning from sin to God. The promised Messiah was coming. Although some responded, many, especially the religious leaders turned a deaf ear. How like our own generation. The reason for their apathy is found in John 3:19 “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Just mention that all people are sinners and you’ll see a similar reaction today. However, unless there is the recognition of sin there is no sense of the need of a Savior. Have you repented? Do you recognize the need for a change in your life? Sin separates from God, but Jesus has overcome sin by becoming a sin sacrifice for us. Trusting in His finished work gives us victory over sin, and death. (1 Cor 15:55-57). John’s call was also a

God wants to work in our lives. He has the solution for man’s problem. Many today are turning to their own solutions. The Bible warns in Prov 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Only God’s way is the way to life. The word “straight” could also be translated level. The idea is to remove all the hindrances and stumbling blocks that so easily get in the way. How can we help prepare the way? By explaining and upholding biblical truth. By reaching out in friendship with a genuine interest in the welfare of others, and by directing men and women to the Savior who can meet their every need. Christians need to introduce a lost world to the living Lord Jesus Christ. Are you ready? 1 Pet 3:15 says, “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” The finally John’s call is a

CALL TO REDEMPTION (Jn 1:29)
“John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

As John the Baptist saw Jesus coming he shouted “Behold, the Lamb of God.” All who were with him in that company knew what he meant. The unblemished lambs from many of their flocks had been sacrificed on Jewish altars as their sin substitute. But now, here was God’s Lamb. Here was the divine Lamb. John added “which takes away the sin of the world.” This divine Lamb could take away the sins of all who trust in Him. This was the One sacrifice that would never need to be repeated. John recognized Jesus as the One sent from the Father to work the mighty work of redemption. Do you? Are you sharing the good news? Are you pointing others to Jesus to let them know He paid the price for their sin and now offers eternal life to all who will repent and trust in His finished work? Death could not hold the Author of life. Jesus rose from the dead and He will raise all those who believe in Him to eternal life as well.