Scripture to Read: John 3:22–24
God has called every believer to testify about our Lord Jesus Christ. We have the privilege of telling each other about what Christ is doing in and through us. We are also responsible for sharing Christ with the people in this world who are still lost in their sins. God used John the Baptist to testify about Christ as God used him to prepare the way for Christ. We read in John 3:22–24, “After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized— 24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison.” After Jesus had met with Nicodemus, He and His disciples entered the land of Judea. As we read John 3:22–24, it sounds like Jesus was baptizing His new followers, and we also read that John the Baptist was still baptizing those willing to repent of their sins. Jesus invested in His followers, preparing them for ministry. Jesus modeled for us what we must be continually doing. Just like Jesus, we must be in community with each other because relationships are the primary environment God uses to grow people. However, we must also take those relationships deeper through discipleship. Through discipleship, we have the privilege to lead and teach followers of Christ how to obey all that Jesus has commanded and train them to do the work of the ministry, just like us.
Challenge & Application
• What is our privilege and responsibility, as Christians, to do with the people in our lives?
• How are you currently investing in the lives of others around you, and how are you being invested in by others?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!