Which Would You Choose?

Recently I was reading through Luke's Gospel the first 4 or 5 chapters, and had an interesting insight comparing the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus.  

Here is John's ministry described with his message - Luke 3:2-3,7-17 NIV:

[2] "during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. [3] He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 

[7] John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? [8] Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. [9] The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 

[10] “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 

[11] John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 

[12] Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 

[13] “Don't collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 

[14] Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” 

He replied, “Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely---be content with your pay.” 

[15] The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. [16] John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [17] His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

In contrast here is Luke's description of Jesus' ministry in Capernaum (after being rejected in Nazareth) - Luke 4:31-41 NIV:

[31] "Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. [32] They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. [33] In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 

[34] “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are---the Holy One of God!” 

[35] “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. 

[36] All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” [37] And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area. 

[38] Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. [39] So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. 

[40] At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. [41] Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah."

The thought came to me that many of our churches seem to have settled for the ministry of John, rather than the ministry of Jesus.  We preach repentance for sin and being nice, caring for one another, not being bad people, basically all things that are possible without the power of God.  

Jesus on the other hand, ministered in power and authority.  Just His presence alone was sufficient to cause demons to manifest, and He cast them out, He then went on and healed and delivered people, none of which are possible without the power of God.

I know which ministry I want to represent!  John was the greatest of the old testament prophets, but I want to experience the ministry of Jesus, the proclamation of the Kingdom, through the New Covenant, empowered through the Power of the Holy Spirit present and active!

Help us Lord!