The Grands Letter

Importance:High

Dear Grands,

John 1:31-34

31 “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.”

32 John testified saying, ‘I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 ‘I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, “He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.”

34 “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

Everything in the Word of God is important. Yet, sometimes we read it so rapidly

or carelessly that we overlook some very meaningful truths. This is one of those

passages. It used to give me trouble. John the Baptist was six months older than

Jesus, yet he says, “I did not recognize Him…” Yet, haven’t we all known someone

whom we haven’t seen for some time and found them looking different than we

remembered? What’s still important about this passage is that despite John’s

failure to recognize Jesus, he kept on with what the Spirit had told him. The LORD

only uses those who are busy in His work! We don’t always have to know everything

about what we’re doing; we just have to keep on doing what we were told to do.

Before Paul and Barnabus were tapped by the Holy Spirit to become missionaries,

they were “ministering to the LORD” (Acts 13:2). It seems that the LORD never

uses people who are idle. The ancient directive holds true until we are given new

marching orders (Eccl. 9:10). So, remain vigilant and active in what you know to do

until He nudges you to do something else. Just keep reading and telling people

about Jesus.

We love you all more than you’ll ever know,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas