![]() He put the top priority on the most important things, namely his service to God. What can we learn from this? John was goal-driven. His food was just a means to sustain him, nothing more. He didn’t focus on “eating and drinking, and marrying and giving in marriage” like most people. I think the point is that he didn’t need luxuries. I know many of you may be getting hungry now, but his diet was also abnormal to most of the people in the world. His clothing would probably be considered out of fashion and too simple. Interestingly, locusts are very nutritious and are 60% protein compared to 20% protein content of chicken and beef. It is almost like a lifelong fast, ridding themselves of temptations of more luxurious living and practicing self-control and discipline to focus on the Lord and the ministry given to them. While it is not necessary to live like that for everyone, there are a few characters in the Bible such as Elijah that live similarly. We do know his father said he would not drink wine, which would indicate maybe he would take the Nazarite vow. This shows us he led a secluded and even rough life, perhaps because of a vow he had taken. Clearly this clothing and diet was special or Matthew would not have mentioned it. In addition, John wore camel’s hair, a leather belt, and ate locusts and honey. You don’t have to rely on anything else to draw people.Ģ. They were willing to sacrifice because they believed the message John was teaching was important. They didn’t sit in air conditioned rooms with padded seats. The people who went to listen to John were willing to travel to do so. A lesson for us is that wherever God has called you to share His words, do it faithfully and He will use it to accomplish His purposes. The message he preached was from God and this drew many people out from the city to listen to him. He simply preached to whoever would listen. He relied upon the power of God’s Word to draw people. This is where God had called him to do ministry. Why? I am not sure I know the answer to this question. ![]() John the Baptist’s lifestyle – He did not go the biggest cities or the capital city Jerusalem to take his message. Some of these points are taken from my study in Mark which you can find at ġ. John 1:29-34 – John’s statement about Christ.Ģ Kings 1:8 – Elijah wore a garment of camel hair and a leather belt. John 3:22-36 – He must increase and I must decrease passage about John the Baptist. John 1:19-34 – More information about John the Baptist. Mark 1:1-11 – More information about John the Baptist. What else do we learn about the Messiah in verse 12? Who is the latter part of verse 11 referring to? What does it mean that He will baptize with fire? What is the warning in verse 10? What important lesson can we learn from this? What does verse 9 mean? What is John’s point? Why was John so aggressive toward the Pharisees/Sadducees? Didn’t he want them to repent as well? Why was John’s clothing and diet important? Are there any lessons we can learn from John in this? What does it mean that the “kingdom of heaven is at hand?” What was the core teaching of John’s message? Why would John preach in the wilderness? Who would be listening to him there?
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