After telling us about Christ’s birth and the Massacre of the Innocents, Matthew introduces us to John the Baptist in Matthew 3:1; “In those days John the Baptist came.” But when exactly were “those days” and who exactly is John the Baptist?
Fortunately, one does not have to guess – the Word of God is always the best authority on itself. So Luke writes in his Gospel, “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.” Astonishingly, Luke records six historical time markers we can use to narrow down what Matthew meant by “those days”.
One does not need to wonder if Matthew telling us about the days immediately after Jesus’ family moved back to Nazareth, or the days of Herod’s death, or if he is speaking about a prophetic time period. The very fact that he gives historical and verifiable periods tells us that this is a historical account, even though the phrase, “in those days” is loaded with prophetic meaning (being used 31 times in the OT). Although there is much scholarly debate as to the exact year, Bible scholars agree Matthew is referring to sometime between AD26 and AD29. Jesus, having been born between 4 and 2BC, would have been ~30 years old & His cousin John the same (just a few months older). These are the times Matthew speaks of – these are the ‘days’ of John the Baptist.
We call John “the Baptist” because as we all ultimately are, John was defined by his calling. Even the great historian Josephus identified him as, “John, called the Baptizer,” perhaps because Luke adds this descriptor to John, “He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” It was what John did in his day that made him unique from every other man with the same name. Indeed, it is what John did to fulfill his calling that earned him a place in God’s eternal Word. For John was called to be a prophet, and his calling was prophetic ministry. This he did to very great effect.
We also have a calling – each one of us. And we too have a time appointed for us to fulfill that calling. In the book of Acts, we read, “From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”
In His Sovereignty, God determines the place and time of your birth, the religious and political climate you grow up under, and the times and places you live in. Just as He did for Jesus and just as He did for John. And just like John the Baptist, God gives each of us a calling to be exercised in our day and among the people He providentially set alongside us.
Of course, to find our calling we have to look up and seek Him. For our identity comes from God and our calling comes from God, just as our birthplace was His choice, not ours. That is why Acts tells us we have to “seek him and perhaps reach out for him.” Thankfully, God put us here with the intention that we would fulfill our calling. So when we do seek Him, we find Him anew and discover our calling at the same time – not only to our very great blessing, but to the blessing of all around us as we subsequently exercise of our calling.
Amen.
God did not direct His call to Isaiah— Isaiah overheard God saying, “who will go for Us?” The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude.
Oswald Chambers
APPLICATION: Intentionality
If you know your calling, thank God for it. Exercise it.
If you do not yet know your calling, “seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him”. He has already gifted you, and His Spirit is faithful to lead you into all righteousness!