Read Mark 1:2–5. What was the purpose of John the Baptist’s ministry?
The Gospel of Mark informs us that the arrival of John the Baptist was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa. 40:3). John’s development from childhood to manhood was marked by faithfulness to God. Satan feared losing his dominion over humanity after hearing John’s voice in the wilderness (see Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 224). The wickedness of John’s listeners was unmasked in a manner that caused Satan to quake. Satan’s grip over Israel was being threatened. He repeatedly tried and failed to dissuade John the Baptist from his faithful lifestyle and trust in the Messiah.
Read Matthew 11:1–6. How did Jesus reaffirm John’s faith while the preacher was in prison?
Satan was unable to tempt Jesus into sin, and his defeat in the wilderness enraged him. He then changed tactics by having John, Jesus’ cousin, thrown into prison. John’s imprisonment hurt Jesus, even though Satan could not entice Him to sin. This was Satan’s way of breaking John, while emotionally burdening the heart of the Savior. But John received a word of encouragement from Jesus. And despite his terrible conditions, and certainly not understanding why he remained in prison when Jesus was so powerful, John nevertheless stayed faithful, even unto death.
Like the prophets of old, we, too, are called to proclaim a message of repentance and faith and the totality of Christ’s righteousness (Rev. 14:6–12). As he did with John the Baptist, Satan may use uncertainty to make us doubt God’s mission for our lives. We need not become despondent if we remember God’s leading in our lives, especially when things don’t go well for us, as happened with John, who was imprisoned and then killed by the actions of an evil woman and a weak-willed man. Whatever humans may do to us, we can reach out to God in faith, and He will answer us. He has promised us power to do His will (Acts 1:8). In the post-Christian and non-Christian world, it is imperative that we be faithful witnesses for Christ, whatever our circumstances.
Have you ever been in a position, as John was while in jail, where you just could not understand why such bad things were happening to you? How did you maintain your faith and trust in God?
Supplemental EGW Notes
The principles that should actuate us as workers in God’s cause are laid down by the apostle Paul. He says: “We are labourers together with God.” “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” And Peter exhorts the believers: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”
When these principles control our hearts, we shall realize that the work is God’s, not ours; that He has the same care for every part of the great whole. When Christ and His glory are made first and love of self is swallowed up in love for souls for whom Christ died, then no worker will be so entirely absorbed in one branch of the cause as to lose sight of the importance of every other. . . .
We are taught in God’s Word that this is the time, above all others, when we may look for light from heaven. It is now that we are to expect a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. We should watch for the movings of God’s providence as the army of Israel watched for “the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees”—the appointed signal that heaven would work for them.
God cannot glorify His name through His people while they are leaning upon man and making flesh their arm. Their present state of weakness will continue until Christ alone shall be exalted; until, with John the Baptist, they shall say from a humble and reverent heart: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Words have been given me to speak to the people of God: “Lift Him up, the Man of Calvary. Let humanity stand back, that all may behold Him in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered. Says the prophet Isaiah: ‘Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’ Let the church and the world look upon their Redeemer. Let every voice proclaim with John: ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’”
It is to the thirsting soul that the fountain of living waters is open. God declares: “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” To souls that are earnestly seeking for light and that accept with gladness every ray of divine illumination from His Holy Word, to such alone light will be given. It is through these souls that God will reveal that light and power which will lighten the whole earth with His glory—Lift Him Up, p. 231.
The above quotations are taken from Ellen G. White Notes for the Sabbath School Lessons, published by Pacific Press Publishing Association. Used by permission.