Have you ever been on a treasure hunt? You are given a few clues and these should lead you to the mystery object. The greatest treasure hunt of all time has been going on for thousands of years, and you can take part in it today!
First let us find out how John the Baptist got on with the strange clues he was given. He was to go into the desert telling people to "make straight the way for the Lord." (verse 23.) He knew who he was talking about - it was the Son of God, who was soon to be widely known, but John did not know what He looked like. (verse 31.) How would he find and recognise Him?
Here was one of the clues that had been given to him: "The Man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He who will baptise with the Holy Spirit." (verse 33.)
John went out having only a few clues, and expecting to find God's promised Treasure. He went preaching and baptising, preaching to people telling them to "Repent"; that is to want to turn from their sinful ways and join him in looking for the great Treasure, God's Son, the Saviour of the world. (1st John 4:10-14.) John baptised those who, in eager expectation of the coming Messiah and Saviour, were willing to turn from their sinful ways. (Matthew 3:1-8.)
And then it happened! As he baptised a Man called Jesus, John "saw the Spirit come down from Heaven as a dove and remain on Him" (verse 32.)
This clue left John in no doubt. This was the Messiah! This was the greatest Treasure ever! John immediately wanted others to discover this Treasure, so He called out, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (verse 29.)
You see, the Treasure was not the baptism John practised; this was only part of the clue to finding the Saviour. "The reason I came baptising with water was that He (Christ) might be revealed.." John said. (verse 31.)
John's message was now clear, and he also told about a more important baptism. The "Lamb of God" was the only One who could take away sin, and the only One who could baptise with the Holy Spirit. (John 1:29,33. Acts 5:31-32.) Wasn't that a Treasure worth looking for?
Are YOU wanting to take part in God's Treasure hunt? Are YOU looking for forgiveness of sin, and the power of God's Holy Spirit in your life?
Beware of false clues, because not all men are faithful and honest as John the Baptist was. Some point us to themselves, and to other things as being the way to find this Treasure! The truth is that it is found only by faith in Jesus as your Saviour!
REMEMBER, it is only by faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour that you can know God's forgiveness, and receive God's Holy Spirit to powerfully change your life for God's glory. (Galatians 4:4-6. 2nd Corinthians 1:22.)
Read of John the Baptist finding the Treasure in John's Gospel chapter 1, verses 29-34. Make sure you find this treasure today (Acts 4:12. Galatians 1:1-9.)
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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