John the Baptist was called many things, not all of them complimentary. He was filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb, and leaped at the voice of Mary when she came calling upon his mother. John was charged by the Holy Spirit with preparing the people of Israel for the approach of the kingdom of heaven and the Son of Man, and he would turn hearts toward the Lord.
John was responsible for baptizing believers with water for the forgiveness of sins, and he claimed the one coming after him would baptize with the Holy Spirit. So, even though John was filled with the Spirit, and Jesus said he was the Elijah to come, John still considered himself unworthy to touch Jesus’ sandals. This humility on John’s part almost led to an argument when Jesus was baptized. And if Jesus needed to be baptized to fulfill all righteousness, what makes us think this requirement (baptism) is optional for us?
John was blessed with an amazing gift by the Holy Spirit, the gift to turn hearts; of parents toward their children, of the disobedient toward wisdom, and of the rebellious toward righteousness. Many teachers have longed for this gift to touch the hearts of their rebellious students in a positive way. For John, this heart rending gift was a death sentence. While Herod kept him imprisoned, afraid to kill a prophet of the Lord, he had no problem giving the order at the behest of a woman. John was Spiritually blessed, gifted with the ability to turn hearts, and murdered because of that gift. And just think, he led the way for Jesus down the same path, who leads the way for us. Following the Spirit is a physical death sentence leading to eternal life.
Grace & Peace, Charles.
Turning Hearts