Reply To: Pastoral Ministry 2023/2025 Discussion Board 1

[Paulpraze]

My reply to Precious Chris.

The story of John is an interesting one. His ministry was quite unique as a Prophet in that he was the prophet whose ministry was about identifying or pointing out the Messiah, whom other prophets in the Holy Scriptures had spoken of to the nation of Israel. John 1:29-34.
You posted out how that John had a calling that was similar to that of Jesus, and like Jesus, very little information was given about his childhood.
However, one of the things that I find interesting from what you have pointed out about John concerning his separation. Luke 1:80.
Living in the way that John did in the deserts was not something that was common place at the time or even in these times. The kinds if food that he ate (Matthew 3:4), the kinds of clothes that he wore (Matthew 3:4), and even the message of repentance that he preached was not a common message during his time.
What all of these things show to me is that a man’s separation is really a function of God’s grace. A person who has received God’s call and has become aware of God’s plans and purposes for his or her life really has to learn to lean into and depend upon God’s grace for their separation and eventually fulfilling their ministry. Little wonder the Apostle Paul spoke about the grace of God in the way that he did. 1 Corinthians 15:10.
Ultimately, being called is a matter of grace because no man takes this honour upon himself (Hebrews 5:4), and being separated required the called to lean into and depend upon the grace of God.
By the grace of God, he was called, separated, and when the time finally came for him to step aside for the One he was sent to identify and introduce to Israel, he was able to step aside.
There is always grace available for all that God has sent us to do.