The ministries of Jesus and John differed. This may be one reason John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask if Jesus was the one they were expecting. John’s mission was to call the Jewish people to repent and prepare their hearts to receive Jesus. He was uncompromising in calling out sin in his preaching.
Luke 3: 7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”[1]
John preached in the wilderness, and people had to go to him. Matthew 3: 4 John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.[2] John lived a life of severe spiritual discipline similar to that of Old Testament prophets. His rebuke of Herod Antipas for marrying Herodias, his sister-in-law, had landed him in jail.
The Ministry of Jesus
Jesus led the life of an itinerant preacher. He went to the people, although many came to Him due to His popularity. He attended weddings and banquets. His first miracle was turning water into wine. He would share a meal with anyone, including His disciples, friends, Pharisees, tax collectors, and other sinners.
Jesus had a peaceful and loving ministry to the majority of people. While He would eat with sinners, He urged them not to stay in their sin but to repent. His earthly ministry was one of love and not judgment. John 13: 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.[3]
Love was the reason that Jesus went to the cross. John 3: 16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.[4]
Each Ministry Style Was Needed
God sent John and Jesus with unique ministries in His timing. John came to wake the people up. His message may sound harsh to our ears, but it was necessary. Hearts had to be open to hear and receive the message of Jesus. God still does the same with us today. He has designed each of us for the work He has for us. God gives differing gifts to build up the body of believers.
Ephesians 4: 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.[5]
To learn how the ministries of John and Jesus differed, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/johns-question-for-jesus
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.