Chapter 3
When I first felt called to ministry, I made a pretty common American mistake—I assumed it meant I’d have my own church one day. My own congregation. I thought I was supposed to take something small and grow it into a crowd of hundreds, maybe even thousands. I mean, that’s the dream, right? In America, we’re taught to aim for the top. Go big or go home.
But as I grew in my faith, I started to wrestle with that image. The idea of being a senior pastor with a church of my own didn’t sit right with me. I’m naturally introverted. Quiet by nature. Some folks might laugh at that now, but it’s true—I’ve always been more comfortable behind the scenes. I was perfectly content running sound at church, tucked away in a dark booth, just doing my part without the spotlight. So I struggled to understand how someone like me could ever be called to preach to a large crowd week after week.
In the beginning, I put a lot of pressure on myself. I judged my success by that standard—and as you can imagine, I felt like I was failing pretty fast. But over time, I came to see something important: God rarely calls people to the spotlight. He often calls them to support, to serve, to prepare the way for others.
Think of your arm—it’s strong and capable. But without fingers, it can’t really function the way it’s meant to. I’ve come to realize: I’m a finger. And I’m okay with that. In fact, I’m grateful. I get to be part of something bigger than myself, even if I’m not the one standing center stage.
John the Baptist was a finger, too—pointing the way to Jesus. His public ministry was short, and he spent more time in prison than in front of crowds. But look at the impact he made. In just a short time, God used him in a powerful way.
So if you feel like you’ve missed your moment—or that it hasn’t come yet—don’t lose heart. Maybe you think you’re too old, too young, or that your ministry has passed you by. But God’s timing isn’t like ours. He created you with a purpose in mind. You don’t have to force anything. Let Him lead. Keep your eyes on Jesus, live faithfully day by day, and trust that He’s working it all out.
Because in the end, ministry isn’t about you or me. It’s always been about Jesus.
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar–when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene– 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. [All the names listed here point to a real historical time. And a time of serious corruption politically and religiously] 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching [proclaiming openly] a baptism [a deep cleansing commitment] of repentance [A change of mind and heart that leads to a change of direction.] for the forgiveness of sins. [This baptism was not one to salvation, but of repentance, to turn away from sin. Jesus we will find offers the baptism of salvation.]
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’ ”
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! [or “offspring of vipers” either way, this was NOT a compliment.] Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. [We all bear fruit in that which we believe. By our fruit, whatever it is, shows the world what we believe. If a Believer wants to know where they are with their walk with God, just look around you. What evidence do you have? And what does that evidence say about what you believe? Don’t worry about proving your faith to others. The fruit of your life will always speak louder than your verbal proclamations.] And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely–be content with your pay.” [John’s instructions seem very honest and simple to us. But in a time when everything was crooked and then justified, these were eye opening, challenging statements. Basically – to live a right and moral life with others.]
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news [GOSPEL] to them.
19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.
The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus
21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melki, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josek, the son of Joda,
27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melki, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,
29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,
31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Kenan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
