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  JOHN, THE ASCETIC
  by Marcus Dods
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Summary: John's story teaches us the importance of spiritual growth,
renewal, and interceding for the needs of others through a life of
prayer and self-discipline.

Topics: "Spiritual Discipline", "Prayer Life"
Scripture References: Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:1, Mark 1:4, Luke 1:80, John 1:6

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DESCRIPTION
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Marcus Dods preaches about John the Baptist's radical decision to leave
behind a life of comfort and privilege to live a solitary, ascetic life
in the wilderness, in order to focus on spiritual matters and prepare
the way for the coming Messiah. John's example of self-discipline,
prayer, and dedication to God's work serves as an inspiration for
believers to prioritize their spiritual lives over worldly distractions
and to intercede for others in prayer. By forming a community of like-
minded individuals in the wilderness, John created a space for deep
reflection, prayer, and anticipation of the Savior's arrival.

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CONTENT
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"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John" (John 1:6).

Going from the comfortable home and well-provided life and fair
prospects of a priest's family, he went to the houseless wilderness, and
adopted the meagre, comfortless life of an ascetic; not from any
necessity, but because he felt that to entangle himself with the affairs
of the world would be to blind him to its vices, and to silence his
remonstrance, if not to implicate him in its guilt.

Like thousands besides in all ages of the world's history he felt
compelled to seek solitude, to subdue the flesh, to meditate undisturbed
on things Divine, and discover for himself and for others some better
way than religious routine and the "good wine of Mosaic morality turned
to the vinegar of Pharisaism." Like the Nazarites of the earlier times
of his country, like the old prophets, with whose indignation and deep
regret at the national vices he was in perfect sympathy he left the
world, gave up all the usual prospects and ways of life, and betook
himself to a life of prayer, and thought, and self-discipline in the
wilderness.

When first he went there, he could only dimly know what lay before him;
but he gathered a few friends of like disposition around him, and, as we
learn "taught them to pray." He formed in the wilderness a new Israel, a
little company of praying souls, who spent their time in considering the
needs of their fellow-countrymen, and in interceding with God for them,
and who were content to let the pleasures and excitements of the world
pass by while they longed for and prepared themselves to meet the great
Deliverer.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/marcus-dods/john-the-ascetic/
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