Heroes of the Faith Series |
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John the Baptist – Forerunner of Jesus Christ
He must increase, but I must decrease.
(John 3:30)
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight’(Matthew 3:3). The years of having children had bypassed a God-honoring couple named Zacharias and Elizabeth. But is anything too hard for the Lord? With faith, Zacharias prayed, and John the Baptist was born! Growing up in the home of one of Israel’s high priests, John learned the Word of God. As his life went on, that knowledge was demonstrated in his words and his actions.
Learn It! As a young adult, John answered God’s call to isolation in the Judean desert. He lived on locusts and wild honey, dressed in camel hair, and cultivated God-powered courage. As the forerunner of Jesus, Israel’s Messiah, he prepared the way for Christ’s earthly kingdom. When Jesus came to the place where John was baptizing, John proclaimed, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world(Jn.1:29).
As Jesus' ministry grew, John's disciples became jealous. But John countered, A man can receive only what is given him from heaven (Jn. 3:27). He accepted God’s plan for his life; now his task was done. So this joy of mine has been made full, he declared. He must increase, but I must decrease (Jn. 3:29-30).
But confronting Herod about his immoral relationship with Herodias landed him in prison (Mt.14). Entombed in the silent, stone walls of that damp, dark dungeon, doubts that Jesus was the true Messiah haunted him. Had his ministry been in vain? After sending word to inquire, “Are you the Expected One, or should we look for someone else?” Jesus erased John’s doubts with reports of prophecy-fulfilling miracles and then announced, “Among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Mt. 11). Soon after, Herod made a drunken oath resulting in the beheading of John. In his honor, Jesus withdrew to grieve. Surely the one crying in the wilderness enjoyed a hero’s welcome when he arrived in Heaven!
Speak It! Prior to Jesus' public arrival, John cried out, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near (Mt.3:2). The Jews believed that being Abraham’s descendants was their ticket into God’s kingdom; so they needed to repent (change their mind) concerning the fact of their sinfulness, then trust in Jesus alone to save them from God’s wrath in Hell (Matt. 3:7-10; Acts 19:4). John baptized those who repented to symbolize their spiritual cleansing, but added, Bear fruit worthy of repentance (Mt.3:8). For instance, he charged Roman soldiers, Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your pay (Lk.3:14). Free salvation should produce radical change in one’s life!
Live It! The portrait of John the Baptist inspires many applications:
- Solitude with God empowers us to serve others (Lk.3:2)
- Wait on God for ministry opportunities (Jn.3:27)
- Maintain a joyful friendship with Jesus (Jn.3:29)
- Accept it when your task for God is done (Jn.3:30)
- Speak out against sin (Mt.14)
- Graduate to heaven Summa Cum Laude—with high honors!—leaving behind a God-exalting legacy (Mt. 11)
Discussion Question: What spiritual gift has God given you to impact your world for His glory? Have you urged the non-Christians in your life to trust in Jesus for eternal life? Do you spend time alone with God, in prayer, fasting and Scripture reading? How do you wish to be remembered after you die?
Memory Verse: He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through Him (John 1:7).
Prayer: Father, help me discover Jesus’ glory, delight in His glory, and declare His glory to others.
All quotations from Scripture are taken from the New King James Version.
Devotional written by Dr. Ron Barnes
Illustration by Jonathan Chong
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