John the Baptist

God wants those He has called and given the Kingdom's service to faithfully serve Him, help others to find His way and do His will. Luke 7:27 - This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I sent my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The followings are discussed: Incredible Beginning; Powerful Prophetic Preaching, and Martyr's Death; faithful Legacy.

Incredible Beginning: The birth of John fulfilled prophetic declaration by the angel of God that Zachariah and Elizabeth would bear a son in their old age and should name him John. They were instructed to set the child apart for the work of God as the child would be filled with Holy Spirit right from the womb (Luke 1:5-15).

John was born as spoken by the angel and circumcised on the eighth day. The Spirit of God worked in a way that surprised those who were gathered at the naming. While the family had agreed that the child should be named Zachariah after his father, Elizabeth insisted that he should be named as instructed by the angel. The father who couldn't talk, and probably couldn't hear was given a material to make a sign about the name to be given to the child, he surprised everybody with a sign that confirmed the name the angel had instructed them to give the child (Luke 1:57-66).

 Zachariah regained his speech and began to talk immediately he confirmed John as the name of the child. The people were amazed over the miraculous event at John's naming and they spread the miracle, telling others that John was a special child sent for special purpose. He then carried the child and began to prophesy concerning him. He prophesied that John would be the forerunner of the Messiah, the One that would bring salvation to the world (Luke 1: 76-80). John later on grew up in an isolated place where he avoided all distractions and prepared for the ministry.

Powerful Prophetic Preaching: John might have isolated himself to prepare for the unveiling of the New Testament and close the gap of over 400 years that God had stopped sending prophets. John came out with uncompromising message that pierced the soul and called people to repentance. His message pointed to the coming Messiah. John was the messenger, Jesus was his message (Mathew 3:1-6). He baptised with water, but was preparing people to meet the Messiah who would baptise them with the Holy Spirit. Water baptism provides the basis for awareness of sin and repentance. Holy Ghost baptism brings about genuine repentance, faithful living and salvation.

As John continued the preaching for repentance, the two major sects of Judaism, Pharisees and Sadducees mounted pressure against his ministry, but he couldn't be stopped. He rebuked the sect leaders. John condemned the Pharisees for self-righteousness and the Sadducees for rejecting future and final judgement (Matthew 3:7-12). He warned these religious leaders of the coming judgement and reminded them that true repentance was a matter of the heart for people to experience real change. John continued to emphasise that he was simply a forerunner and warned against the danger of rejecting the Messiah.

3 Martyr's Death; Faithful Legacy: John was arrested and imprisoned  by king Herod Antipas for condemning his action. The king divorced his wife and married Herodias, his half brother, Herod Philip's wife. While John was in prison the king held a birthday party at which Herodias' daughter danced to amazement of all guests. King Herod himself was so pleased that he vowed to grant her any request.  When the girl sought consent of her mother for the King's promise, she told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist. What a rash promise and wicked demand?

Consider what you can afford to offer without causing any harm in an attempt to keep promise, redeem pledge or vow. It was recorded that  Herod was troubled over such request but couldn't break his vow (Matthew 14:1-12). John was consequently executed but he stood strong for the message of repentance and salvation until the end of his life.

Though John died prematurely, he left ongoing legacy. Jesus described him as the greatest of all the prophets (Luke 7:8), meaning his ministry closed the separation between the Old and New Covenant, or rather, between the age of the Law and the age of grace. Jesus also said that the least person in His Kingdom is greater than John. This points to greater benefits of participating in His Kingdom than to announce the Kingdom was coming.  John' message has formed the everlasting legacy which Christians should hold onto as they respond to God's call to proclaim His kingdom. Lesson texts: Matthew 3:1-12; 14:1-12; Luke 1:5-80; 7:28.