A Needed Ministry Leading to Repentance

A Word of Truth #066  

When John the Baptizer began his ministry, his message was one of sharp rebuke. “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?…bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:7ff).

John’s message condemned the people in their sin. The rebuke was necessary because the people were comfortable in their sin. They needed to be roused into seeing once again how sins offend the righteous God and bring His judgment upon them. Once the people’s hearts were pricked and moved to genuine sorrow for their sins, John pointed them to salvation through Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

John’s message was needful for the people of his day and it remains so for us as well. Hear the words of God’s Law to expose the pride and sin in your lives and cut your hearts. Then with sorrow for those sins, run to the Lamb of God in faith and there find the forgiveness for all of your sins.

Jesus—the Lamb of God!

A Word of Truth #067  

Jesus Christ—teacher or Savior? More and more people today claim that Jesus was merely a teacher rather than the world’s Savior. This, of course, is politically correct, for in our day all religions and religious figures are to be viewed as equal. These thoughts, however, are simply not true.

When Jesus was about to begin His earthly ministry, John the Baptizer pointed Him out to His disciples and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1:29) Jesus was, of course, a teacher sent to reveal the truths of God, His heavenly Father. However, He was much more. He was the Son of God sent to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The Bible tells us that by shedding His blood Jesus obtained our eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). Place your trust in Jesus—the Lamb of God, your Savior!