(A)The...
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(A)
The role of John the Baptist reminds us of the Parable of the Sower. There is one unique role to play in another's life: to sow a seed and not know of how it all comes to fruition; this is to serve in a vital way. Every person of faith has a story about when someone planted a seed, someone else who watered, cared for, cultivated. John's role was prophetic preparation of a people. His rugged mission was not to spellbind crowds and promote himself. He pointed to another. His role was that of a seed planter and then a fading out as the true light appeared. Ernest Saunders, of Garrett Seminary, tells of a famous altar piece painted by the artist Matthias Grunewald (circa sixteenth century) at Colmar on the eastern border of France. In the painting, John the Baptist points a long, boy finger toward the figure of Jesus, thereby symbolizing the task of every believer to bear witness, to point to the One who is the Savior of all.
- Cobb
The role of John the Baptist reminds us of the Parable of the Sower. There is one unique role to play in another's life: to sow a seed and not know of how it all comes to fruition; this is to serve in a vital way. Every person of faith has a story about when someone planted a seed, someone else who watered, cared for, cultivated. John's role was prophetic preparation of a people. His rugged mission was not to spellbind crowds and promote himself. He pointed to another. His role was that of a seed planter and then a fading out as the true light appeared. Ernest Saunders, of Garrett Seminary, tells of a famous altar piece painted by the artist Matthias Grunewald (circa sixteenth century) at Colmar on the eastern border of France. In the painting, John the Baptist points a long, boy finger toward the figure of Jesus, thereby symbolizing the task of every believer to bear witness, to point to the One who is the Savior of all.
- Cobb
