How do you get someone to hear you who is not listening? A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day…30,000 to a man’s 15,000. The wife replied, “The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men… The husband then turned to his wife and asked, “What?”
When you have something important to say, how do you get people to listen? We’ll find some help in the method of John the Baptist.
When John the Baptist was preaching ‘Repentance’ to the nation of Israel, Bible scholars estimate that at least 300,000 came to hear him preach in the wilderness. That’s a 20 mile walk to the edge of the Jordan River where he was baptizing.
What was it about John the Baptist that drew the crowds to his message?
Live the message.
John did baptize in the wilderness, and … was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey (Mark 1:4,6)
John the Baptist embodied his message. In this sense he was the message! Others could have said the same things, but to no avail. The fact that his words saturated his being and dominated his life – the fact that they were true in him – gave him immense power. Not only his words, but also his whole life was a protest. There was the place in which he stayed, the clothes he wore, the food he ate. The same is true of us. Nothing will make our words penetrate more than that which is true in us and comes from the heart in total sincerity. If we want to have more effect, we must humbly ask God to make our lives demonstrations of the truth of our message. John’s character modeled his message. Therefore, what he said had the ring of truth.
Tell people what they know in their heart.
preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins…There cometh one mightier than I … (Mark 1:4,7)
He told people what was in their heart of hearts they knew and brought them what in the depths of their souls they were waiting for. They were in a spiritual wilderness. They needed someone to get them out. They needed to change. He told them their was sin in their life and a Savior was coming. Deep inside, they knew he was right.
Be completely humble.
There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. (Mark 1:7)
He felt completely unworthy to untie the sandals of Jesus. As great a success as John was having, he knew he wasn’t IT. He was just a voice, Jesus was the Word. Pride is one of the biggest turnoffs in trying to get the message of Jesus to others.
Point to something or someone beyond yourself.
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. (Mark 1:8)
John acknowledged that Jesus was greater than he was. He could only baptize with water. But Jesus could baptize with the Holy Spirit.
The greatest message must not only be given, it must be received. Let us make sure we get God’s message right and live our life so that it is heard.
When Hugh Latimer was preaching one day in the presence of King Henry VIII, he reports that he said to himself, “Latimer! Latimer! Remember that the king is here; be careful what you say.” Then he said to himself, “Latimer! Latimer! Remember that the King of kings is here; be careful what you do not say.”
For such unflinching faithfulness Latimer was eventually burned at the stake. To his friend Nicholas Ridley, as they were both about to be burned as heretics for their teachings and beliefs he said, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man! We shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.” He feared failing God more than he feared offending men.