John the Baptist

John the Baptist, Guido Reni, 1637

Some thoughts on John the Baptist:

1. John was unpretentious and cared not for the opinions of men he didn't respect.  He dressed simply, wildly, and for function. He preached his message in the wilderness not the cities.   He told the high and low alike to repent and bear fruit.   Admonishing both the common crowds and lofty Herod, he didn't soften his message to assuage his audience or save his skin.

2. John joins the long list of men and women who did noble work for God but did not receive their reward on earth.  "That a man so worthless should be permitted to cut short the labours and the life of so holy and useful a character, and that, too, in order to gratify the revenge of an abandoned adulteress, and to reward the vain exhibition of a giddy damsel, must, no doubt, at first appear strange." -James Foote

Beware of judging our work on earth by the world's standards.  If we are different, if we are long suffering, if we have our eyes on rewards in Heaven, then it's not logical or reasonable that we should also expect rewards on earth.  The two are rarely on the same page in the world's present condition.

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.…"

-Colossians 3:2