I imagine every family has that weird cousin, uncle, aunt, or sibling. You know the one or ones who…well you get where I’m going with this. If you are familiar with any of the Chevy Chase “Family” movies then you know cousin Eddie…and my point.
Do you know who else had a cousin who might have raised a few eyebrows at the family reunions? Jesus, his cousin, was John the Baptist!
Matthew 3:4 NLT “Johns clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food, he ate locusts and wild honey.” Okay!!!
John, however, was no Eddie; in verse five of the book of Matthew, we read people from all over Jerusalem and from all of Judea and the Jordan Valley came to see and hear John preach; ‘The Kingdom of God’ is near, to confess their sins and then were baptized in water.
John also fulfilled prophecy. The prophet Isaiah was speaking of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him.”
John 3:11 NLT “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am-so much greater that I’m not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Within all families are the colorful bouquet of individuals, some out there, some not so much, but God created us each in our own identity to be who he wanted us to be, and our unique voice in the wilderness calling out; ‘coming soon is one greater than I am.’
Go out today and use your voice, put on your camel hair coat and that new belt you’ve been itching to wear. You are you, wear yourself proudly! You are Gods creation and he’s proud of you! Be blessed today, be a blessing today, and thank you for joining me. 🥰
Sunshine On My Shoulder 