29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John.
What hits me the hardest here is that all the people, including those “sinners”, realizing their helpless state, knew firsthand their need for a Savior. The realization of our need is paramount. Why should we seek a Savior if we do not comprehend our great need for one? These people had already encountered a life filled with rejection. Scripture tells us that the crowds listening to Christ at that time were those He had cured from various diseases and sicknesses along with the demon possessed and blind – people most often ostracized by society. Add to this mix the tax collectors and “sinners” and you certainly have a concoction with some serious need! They are not alone. We all fall into that same boat whether we realize it or not. Scripture tells us:9 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. 10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." Romans 3:9-12 (NIV) David states in Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. 2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Psalms 14:1-3 (NIV)
Sounds like we all fall into the category of having great need! These people gave assent to God’s way - they listened and heeded. John had prepared them through baptism – calling them to repentance and to a life of faith and they followed. John the Baptist had a very important task. He called the people of his day to repentance – to turn their hearts back to the Lord. He pointed them to Christ. This is not too dissimilar to our job description given by Jesus at His ascension called the Great Commission: 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)
In a wonderful sermon entitled “Jesus is Precious Because His Biblical Portrait is True”, John Piper states: “We Christians believe that God has called us to persuade men and women and children to follow Christ in the obedience of faith. The very nature of man requires, therefore, that two things be happening in the church all the time. Evidences and reasons and arguments must be forthcoming that the Jesus we are summoning people to follow is in fact real. We must maintain a reasonable case that His biblical portrait is true. But in addition, we must also demonstrate that He is worth following. We must show from Scripture and experience that this Jesus is not only true, but that He quenches the deepest soul thirst of all humans – that He is ultimately what all people long for.” Piper also states: “That’s the way we are as humans. We have heads, and therefore must be given facts and evidences and arguments in order to make reasonable commitments. And we have hearts with longings and yearnings and hopes and fears and desires. Therefore, if someone urges me to commit myself to a certain goal, he must persuade my head that the goal is really there as he says it is; and he must move my heart to feel the value of attaining it.” Well said! If we as followers and disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ would be thus prepared and focused, a revival would ensue in our land – it must first though, begin in our own hearts.