Last year, many people — including me — dumped buckets of ice over their heads in response to the “Ice Bucket Challenge.” They recorded this feat, posted it on social media, and challenged others to do the same.  Or they simply donated $100 to help defeat ALS. Over $100 million was raised for the cause, and thousands had fun cooling off in response to a meaningful charge. Ultimately, the awareness of Lou Gehrig’s disease was raised, and new donors were tapped.

There’s another, more elemental disease I’d like to raise the awareness of.  It’s something that affects each and every one of us. Many die daily and countless families are destroyed as a result of its effects. It has led to the murder of millions of children — in the wombs of their mothers-to-be. It is at the root of all sexual abuse and the exploitation of women and children. It has led to the oppression of the poor and to the neglect of the disabled. Many are unaware of just how damaging it is, and the vast majority deny being carriers of it, although they’ve been clearly diagnosed as such (Romans 3:23). The disease is sin and it carries the death penalty for all who are touched by it (Romans 6:23).

John the Baptist was a prophet who called people to repent of their sin. He argued that everyone everywhere needed to turn from their sinful condition, and that after they did so, they should be baptized as a symbol of the forgiveness they were granted (Mark 1:4). In his role as an Old Testament prophet in the New Testament world, John the Baptist warned those who would hear and meet the Messiah of His coming and of His purpose — to serve as the ultimate sacrifice and final payment for the sins of the world. Jesus Christ came to reconcile us — a sinful people —  to a holy God who is unable to look on sin without pronouncing judgment on us. Jesus offered His own life as payment for the death sentence we deserve.  He not only died a terribly painful and humiliating death by public execution, but He was buried and resurrected from the dead a few days later, to the surprise of His disciples and more than 500 witnesses. He has promised to return, but this time as the judge of all still alive and of those already deceased (2 Tim 4:1).

The message of John the Baptist is that we must prepare for Christ’s return.  How?  By repenting of (grieving and turning away from) our sinful condition, and receiving (by faith) His perfect sacrificial death as the substitution for our own (John 1:29). John the Baptist challenged the indulgent, the immoral, the unjust and those who denied the needs of the poor. Jesus called him the greatest man, (Matthew 11:11) yet John lived the life of an ascetic, wholly set apart for God’s service. He fasted, and when he ate, subsisted on a diet of wild honey and locusts (Matthew 3:4). God filled John with the Holy Spirit — even before he was born (Luke 1:15) and he lived a holy life (Mark 6:20). He was a humble man who rejoiced to see Jesus exalted and His ministry increased even as John and his own ministry decreased in numbers (John 3:27-30). John was an honest man who boldly proclaimed the truth of Scripture at the risk of his own life (he, too, would be executed, see Mark 6:16). John the Baptist was unconcerned about being politically correct.  His focus was on living a life that was pleasing to God. He wasn’t overly concerned with the details of his life or his own comfort.  His eyes were fixed on the future — the coming of the promised One — and on making sure everyone was prepared for His arrival.

What is the purpose of this challenge?

The aim of this challenge is to raise awareness of the necessity for personal repentance in order to prepare people everywhere for the second coming of Jesus. With each second that ticks on the clock, sin kills more and more people.  Yet God calls all men everywhere to repent of their sins — or to prepare to face His judgment (Acts 17:30). The aim of this challenge is to point people to Jesus — like John the Baptist did — by announcing Him as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).

How do I accept the challenge?

Find a locust or locust-type insect (grasshopper, cricket) and eat him with some honey. Record the event and post it on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter or another social media site, and include this hashtag: #johnthebaptistchallenge. Then challenge five others to do the same. If you can’t find a locust (or locust-like critter) a second option is to preach a prophetic message like John the Baptist.  It doesn’t need to be long — one to three minutes works. Record your message and post it on social media with the hashtag #johnthebaptistchallenge. Then challenge five others to do the same. If you need an example, or could use some direction on what to preach, see my video and sermon below