Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

John the Baptist: A Life Lived for Others


Rev. Sam T. Panicker
Carmel MTC, Boston

66 All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
 
In the Bible there are similar God fearing couples like Zechariah and Elizabeth. Absence of the next generation never kept them away from a pious and righteous life. At last their dedicated life became justified by God, by giving John the Baptist.
 
A child is given for a community
Nowadays our children are nurtured according to contemporary trends, while John was brought up more God oriented and community oriented. The whole neighborhood celebrated John’s birth, his circumcision and naming. The families were well connected in that time. They shared the divine mercy and grace that God showered upon the priestly family. Whatever we receive as His mercy and grace does not belong to us, instead it is for others and divine purposes. We also have the responsibility to share the joy and struggles of others. When we share the joy it will be doubled, whereas when we share the burdens it will become lesser and lesser. These types of sharing give us the thrill to live more.

Nurturing starts at very tender age
The aged priestly couple fulfills the custom and traditions of that time and they trained John accordingly. Infancy is the best time to nurture the children according to kingdom values. It would take place in relation to the worshiping community and neighborhood. Here the whole community prayed and celebrated the God given life of John. That blessing and prayers become a motivating force that leads John to choose an alternative life. (Luke 1 ; 14-17  Mathew 3 : 4-11 ). It is during childhood we should bring our children in to a systematic religious and social upbringing. Church is an inter-generational community that encourage healthy relationships.
 
Like His name John’s life also was a real breakthrough
John’s task in history was to prepare a faithful community for the Lord. There were many priests but less prophets or visionaries. The name John and the naming process were entirely new at that time. Rather than the priestly ritualism, John's focus is to propagate a life style of simplicity filled with the Spirit. Many listeners responded to his message of repentance and forgiveness of sins. His parents had no claim on his life. They freely gave their child for the kingdom concerns and kingdom perspectives. The present time also demands this kind of devoted parents and spirit filled children.


PRAYER

Lord you empower our young generation to be like the Baptist. Let them lead and guide our church. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The divinely given are not ours

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