Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, "The Voice in the Wilderness," pp. 97-108, in The Desire of Ages.
"God had directed John the Baptist to dwell in the wilderness, that he might be shielded from the influence of the priests and rabbis, and be prepared for a special mission. But the austerity and isolation of his life were not an example for the people. John himself had not directed his hearers to forsake their former duties. He bade them give evidence of their repentance by faithfulness to God in the place where He had called them."—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 150.
"In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, such a work as that of John is to be done. God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. The message preceding the public ministry of Christ was, Repent, publicans and sinners; repent, Pharisees and Sadducees; 'repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' As a people who believe in Christ's soon coming, we have a message to bear,—'Prepare to meet thy God.' " [Amos 4:12].—Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 55.
Discussion Questions:
What dangers are there in following tradition? Is there any way that tradition actually can help your spiritual life? If so, how? As a class, talk about the traditions in your own culture. Which ones are helpful to faith, and which ones go contrary to it? How can you know the difference, and how can you help others who might have trouble breaking away from the traditions that are harmful to their Christian walk? 
What has been your own "desert" experience, if any? What have you learned that could be a blessing to others who might be going through something similar? 
Review the parallels between John's mission and ours as a church. How well are we doing? What could we be doing better? How could we, as individuals and as a local church, help in fulfilling this high calling? Summary:
John the Baptist had the high calling of preparing the way for Jesus. In many ways his mission parallels that given to God's people at the end of time-to preach the Elijah message to prepare people to meet God. |
| I N S I D E Story | ||
| Freed From the Devil's Chains Saketa Balcha lived with his parents on their small farm in western Ethiopia. When Saketa entered his teens, he began to chew chat, a narcotic leaf. His new habit quickly became an addiction, to the dismay of his parents. Friction grew among family members, and Saketa rebelled even more. Then he began to have episodes of dizziness. His condition worsened until he showed signs of insanity or demon possession. The family didn't know what to do, so they took him to a religious teacher, hoping this man could cure him. The religious teacher called other leaders to his home, where they chewed chat and prayed for the boy's healing. But Saketa began throwing stones, shouting obscenities, and threatening people. Realizing that they couldn't help the boy, the religious leaders gave up. They tied him up with ropes, but Saketa escaped. So, they chained him and carried him to his parents' home. Saketa's parents cried when they saw their son returning in chains. They didn't know what else to do for their son. Then someone suggested that they ask the Adventist pastor to pray for their son. Desperate to have their boy back, the parents sent for the pastor. Before going to the boy, the pastor prayed for forgiveness of sin in his own life and for the presence of the Holy Spirit. When he arrived at Saketa's home, he found the boy chained to the center pole of the house, shouting obscenities and talking nonsense. The pastor told the family, "Humans cannot cast out demons or heal disease. Only God can. We must pray, and we must believe that Jesus Christ has the power to save your son." The pastor invited everyone to kneel with him. Even Saketa knelt down in spite of his chains, and became silent while the pastor prayed. After prayer, the pastor urged the family to believe in God and His power to heal. Then he left. The next day the pastor returned and found Saketa sitting in a chair, free from his chains. Saketa responded to the pastor's questions. Again he prayed for Sakata's complete healing and the family's faith. The next day the pastor found Saketa helping his father put up a fence. The family and the neighbors were amazed. On Sabbath the family worshiped in the Adventist church. Saketa and eight members of his family enrolled in the Bible class to learn more about God, who had saved him. Today Saketa sings in the choir and praises God for healing him. Millions in Ethiopia are bound by fears and superstitions. They don't know the freedom that faith in Jesus brings. Our mission offerings help bring the news of salvation in Jesus to the people of this land. Thank you for giving faithfully to world missions.
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| Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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