He was a distant relative to Jesus through their mothers. He served as the forerunner, or herald of the Messiah; and was to prepare for him by fulfilling an Elijah-like role by calling the nation to repentance. He baptized people as a sign of their repentance. He also came to identify and announce the Messiah. Who am I talking about? You're right, it's John the Baptist!
Let me tell you, he's one of the most unique characters in the New Testament. I really like him! He had a different panache, if you will, for fashion. He liked wearing wild-looking clothing made of camel's hair, and a leather belt around his waist. He preferred living in the desert wilderness, ate locusts and wild honey; and preached a strange message. I guess you could say that he definitely danced to a different tune!
But make no mistake, John the Baptist knew his mission in life. He clearly understood that he had been set apart by God for a purpose. Although he was remarkably strange, he wasn't merely aiming at uniqueness. Rather, he targeted all of his efforts toward obedience. Obviously, John was spot on, as Jesus called him the greatest of men (Luke 6:28).
Through God's direction, John the Baptist inspired the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah by turning away from sin; and being baptized as a symbol of their repentance. The mission of John was the subject of prophecy (Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1). Truly, Christians believe that John the Baptist was the last great prophet before Jesus Christ came to earth. His birth, which took place six months before that of Jesus, was foretold by an angel (Luke 1:11-13).
Even though he held no official power or influence in the Jewish political system, he delivered his message with powerful authority. People couldn't resist the overpowering truth of his words. This was clearly evident as they flocked by the hundreds to hear him and be baptized.
And while he attracted the attention of the crowds, he never lost sight of his mission: to lead people to Christ. John's ministry became so popular that people started to think that he was the messiah. He answered, "I am not the Christ, but I am sent ahead of Him." (John 3:28).
We're distinctly told that John was sent to 'prepare the way' for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 1:2-3), but what exactly did he do in preparing the way? His first public appearance was somewhere about A.D. 26, or 27 (Luke 3:1-2), according to the way time was calculated then.
His early ministry took place in the wilderness of Judea, and in the Jordan Valley. The main theme of his preaching, as we know, was the coming of the Messianic age and the need for people to be ready for it. Thus, when the Messiah made his appearance, they would recognize and accept him.
Interestingly, many of the Jews, especially the Pharisees, thought that they would enter the kingdom of God automatically, simply because they were physically descended from Abraham; but John asserted in no uncertain terms that this was not the case. He called on them to repent sincerely of their sins and to be baptized (Matthew 3:7-10).
As he traveled about, his ministry gained strength, and John’s message gained popularity. In fact, it became so popular that many people began to think that he might be the Messiah. “People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” (Matthew 3:5-6) Still, this wasn't his main objective. He had a pretty clear vision of what he was called to do (John 3:28). He was was quite aware that once Jesus arrived on the scene, his work would be all but finished.
It's very possible that there is no greater example of humility than the one demonstrated by both Jesus and John in Matthew 3:13-15. Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by John in the river Jordan. John inherently knew that the sinless Son of God didn't need baptism of repentance; and that he was certainly not worthy to baptize his own Savior.
Jesus answered his uneasiness by requesting baptism “to fulfill all righteousness,” meaning that He was identifying Himself with sinners for whom He would ultimately sacrifice Himself; thereby securing all righteousness for them (2 Corinthians 5:21). In humility, John obeyed and consented to baptize Jesus.
With the ministry of Jesus Christ then begun, John recognized that his own mission was nearing its end: "He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30) He did continue however, for a while, to bear testimony to the Messiahship of Jesus. Unfortunately, not long after this the all-too-brief ministry of John the Baptist, as well as his life, came to an abrupt end at the hand of King Herod.
The life mission of John the Baptist applies to us, as well. When we come to realize that God has given us a specific purpose for our lives, we too can move forward with confidence, fully trusting the One who called us. Like John, we don't have to fear living with a radical focus on our God-given mission. Can there be any greater joy or fulfillment in this life than to know that God's pleasure and reward awaits us in heaven?
Scripture: John 1:21; John 10:41; Deuteronomy 18:15; Luke 1:13-17; Matthew 17:11-13; Isaiah 40:3; Deuteronomy 18:18
Now, let's pray...
O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen
Until next time...
Have a blessed week!
Bibi
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.