Chapter 12: John the Baptist (Great Leaders of the Book)

IN THIS CHAPTER, you will discover: 

A prophetic "voice" who pointed to One greater. 

A servant empowered by the Holy Spirit to do a great work. 

AS A RESULT, you will be able to: 

Abandon selfish plans and point others to Christ.

Be filled daily with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reading: Talk Thru Bible Personalities, pp. 161-73

Scripture References

Luke 1:11-25 John?s birth announced; Elizabeth became pregnant.
1:39-45 Leaped in mother?s womb at Mary?s greeting.
1:57-66, 80 Birth and naming; growth to maturity.
3:1-18 Preaching and baptizing near the Jordan.
John 1:19-28 Interrogation by priests and Levites.
1:29-36 Revelation of Jesus? identity.
3:22-36 Testimony about Jesus.
Matthew 11:2-19 Sent disciples to Jesus.
Mark 6:14-29 Imprisoned and beheaded by Herod.


Biographical Observations

Magnificent Beginning
Zechariah, John's father, was a priest from the division of Abijah, descended from Aaron. Since the time of David, each of the twenty-four family groups served in the temple twice a year. The privilege of burning incense in the Lord's temple was determined by lots. But a priest could only burn incense once in a lifetime. On this particular occasion, the duty fell on Zechariah. As he was ministering at the altar of incense, the angel Gabriel startled him with the news that his barren wife Elizabeth would bear a son. Zechariah, thinking of their great age, was incredulous. Because of his unbelief, he was struck dumb. The people in the temple surmised that Zechariah had seen a vision because of his inability to speak.
In spite of his unbelief, God blessed the elderly couple, and Elizabeth conceived. When Elizabeth was six months into her pregnancy, her cousin Mary came to visit. The baby suddenly leaped in Elizabeth's womb when Mary appeared. John's mother, through the power of the Holy Spirit, exclaimed, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!" (Luke 1:42). Elizabeth was totally devoid of jealousy; later her son John would exhibit the same graciousness toward Jesus.
For the remainder of Elizabeth's pregnancy, Zechariah could not speak. However, at the baby's circumcision when he acknowledged the baby's name as John, his speech returned. Overjoyed, the new father proph- esied: "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him" (Luke 1 :76).
Born in the hill country of Judea, John was filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth. Early in life he went out to live in the deserts near the Dead Sea. There for several years John contemplated the Messiah and his mission. John knew the many prophecies concerning the Messiah and may have meditated on the following: Numbers 24: 17; Psalm 2:1-12, 110:1-7; Isaiah 9:6-7, 52:13-53:12, 60:1-3, 61:1-2; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Micah 5:2-4; Zechariah 9:9.
Living as a perpetual Nazarite who practiced self-denial (Matt. 3:4), John developed into a great and powerful preacher. His solitary life consisted of wandering the desert, fasting, and praying. John's organic diet consisted of locusts and honey. A locust was one of the flying creeping creatures that Israelites were permitted to eat (Lev. 11:20-22). The honey may have been vegetable honey found in palm and fig trees or honey from wild bees. John's rugged appearance and seemingly antisocial behavior earned him a reputation for being peculiar.
Motivation for John's Baptism
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all agree that John the Baptist fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy: "A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God' " (40:3). John's public ministry began in A.D. 28 with the urgent message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matt. 3:2). John's sermons were fiery and powerful. With his arms outstretched, he seemed to be holding on to the "law" of the Old Testament with one hand and the "grace" of the New Testament with the other. John the Baptist was the first prophet to speak in the New Testament, breaking a silence of four hundred years. His commission was to preach repentance and the coming of the Messiah. He baptized in water as a preparation for the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Water baptism was considered a symbol for cleansing from sin by the Jews. Washings, which restored an unclean person to a condition of cleanness, were regulated by Levitical law (Lev. 11-15). But John's baptism prepared sinners for a new condition. "He will baptize you with?the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Matt. 3:11). John baptized in various places along the Jordan River. One area was close to Samaria (John 3:23) while another was near Judea (John 1:28). This facilitated the baptism of more people over a wider geographical area.
The Holy Spirit gave him deep insight as he prepared hearts spiritually for the coming of the Messiah. And when Jesus appeared, God revealed to John, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit' (John 1 :33). Jesus required baptism so that he might identify with sinners -- an identification that would manifest itself later on the cross of Calvary .As Jesus emerged from the baptismal waters, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove. And God spoke, validating His relationship to Jesus: "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17).
Magnetism of John's Teaching
Curiosity seekers may have formed a large part of the crowds who came out to hear John the Baptist. His appearance certainly commanded a lot of attention. His clothes were made of camel's hair, and his hair, which had not been cut for years, was probably in permanent disarray. Furthermore, the stories that circulated about his home in the desert and his sparse diet contributed to the mystery surrounding John.

But once they heard his message of repentance, his hearers felt a magnetism that went beyond curiosity. That magnetism was the drawing of the Holy Spirit -- drawing people to the truth. They began to look past the rough exterior and to realize that this man was a prophet from God. He spoke with authority concerning the One who Was to come after Him -- the Messiah.
John's hearers were looking for a conquering Messiah -- a warrior-king like David -- to deliver them from their foreign oppressors. Many saw no need for repentance; as everyone knew, the sons of Abraham were already saved by way of birth. John attacked this hypocrisy, especially in the Pharisees and Sadducees, who prided themselves on their religion. He derided them because they should have already been familiar with his message concerning the coming King. The religious elitists were hostile when John declared that they held no privileged position -- they would have to repent and start afresh.
John trained his disciples to pray and fast, and many developed a fierce loyalty to the prophet. In fact, they objected when some of his followers were drawn away toward Jesus. But John assured them, "The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:29-30). As a result of John's faithfulness as the messianic forerunner, some of his disciples became the core of Jesus' followers.
Mortality of John
Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, was denounced by John for divorcing his wife and immediately marrying another. His new wife Herodias was actually the wife of his half-brother Philip. Even though Herod despised John for his rebuke, he was strangely drawn to this unique man. However, he placed John in protective custody, not quite knowing what to do with him. Politically, it would not be wise to let him go. But if he executed him, there might be an uprising since many considered him a prophet.
John was thrown into prison. He languished there seven months before asking Jesus if he was the promised One. He may have doubted, but most likely John wanted assurance that Jesus would succeed him. Since Jesus' answer assured the prophet (Matt. 11:4-6), John rejoiced that his task was finally completed.

Things took a turn for the worse, however, when Herod had a birthday feast. Entertainment was provided by the daughter of Herodias who danced before the king. Extremely pleased with her performance, Herod made a rash promise -- she could have whatever she desired. Goaded by her mother who was still smarting from John's rebuke, the girl asked for John's head. Faithful John therefore lost his life because of a wicked woman's vindictiveness.
But John's disciples had refused to abandon him in prison. So after his death, his disciples reverently cared for his body. Though John was dead, his teaching lived on. Years later in Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila met Apollos, an Alexandrian Jew and a follower of John's teaching. They were able to share with him the good news of Christ, the one of whom John spoke (Acts 18:24-28). Paul also encountered some disciples of John in Ephesus. He shared the gospel with them, and they were baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit (19:1-7).
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: Even though John was a powerful preacher, he remained truly humble. He preached with a burning zeal and was described by Jesus as "a lamp that burned and gave light" (John 5:35). Furthermore Jesus honored him, saying, "Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist" (Matt. 11: 11). John's witness to the Jews was true; thus others were drawn to Jesus. A man who lived a pure and holy life, John was absolutely sure of his calling.
Weaknesses: The only possible weakness in John may have been his seeming uncertainty that Jesus was the promised Messiah. He assuredly knew Jesus' identity since God Himself had revealed Him as the "Lamb of God"(John 1:35). In the depths of his imprisonment, however, he needed reassurance. Jesus' response to his inquiry brought no rebuke, but instead compassion, understanding, and praise.
Key Scripture: "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' ...He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:27-28, 30).
No other scripture so aptly describes John's mission in life. He was to prepare the way for Jesus. When his task was completed, he was to diminish and turn the spotlight over to the Messiah. There is perhaps no greater lesson in humility in the Bible.

Key Thought: As the forerunner of Christ, unpretentious John the Baptist threw himself into his work with gusto, proclaiming repentance and the coming Messiah, yet never seeking fame or fortune for himself.
Philosophy of Life
John's motto was "Be prepared!" The task set before him could not be accomplished with a mere nodding acquaintance with God. The prophet had to be steeped in prayer, giving his full attention to the Lord as he spoke to John's heart. He believed that evil should be addressed in a straightforward manner as evidenced in his encounter with Herod. John did not have time for the frills of life; instead he survived on the basics -- prayer and communion with God. Only a deeply committed prophet filled with the Holy Spirit could accomplish this great work. Long hours meditating on God's Word prepared his mind, body, and spirit for the grueling work that lay ahead.
Comparison
Jesus compared John the Baptist to Elijah (Matt. 17:11-13). Both men wore a garment of hair with a leather belt. John was sustained in the wilderness by eating locusts and honey, and Elijah by eating bread and meat brought to him by ravens (1 Kings 17:2-6). John and Elijah witnessed the powerful, visible presence of Almighty God -- in the form of a dove (Matt. 3:16) and fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:38).
Each prophet confronted a powerful king, and, as a result, the king's wife sought to kill him -- John (Herod and Herodias) and Elijah (Ahab and Jezebel). John fulfilled the prophecy concerning Elijah: "But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him" (Mark 9:13). Many people thought that John was Elijah come back to life. The Pharisees in particular questioned why he baptized if he was not Elijah -- or Christ.
John in the Old Testament
Isaiah described John as a way-preparer (40:3) and as one who brought good tidings to Zion, proclaiming, "Here is your God!" (40:9). Malachi proclaimed that a messenger would prepare the way before the Lord (3:1) and that the prophet Elijah would return before the day of the Lord (4:5).
The Grand Design
Sharing the same ancestry as Jesus, John is an integral thread in the messianic tapestry. As the forerunner of Christ and also His contemporary, John's strong, rough thread made of the strongest natural fibers ran a little ahead and later alongside the Messiah's thread.

Key Concepts:
1. The angel (Michael, Gabriel) announced John's birth to Zechariah. [162]
2. John was raised under the strict vows of a (Nazarene, Nazarite). [162]
3. John the Baptist is often compared with the Old Testament prophet (Elijah, Elisha). [162]
4. John?s message was one of __________________ followed by water baptism. [163]
5. True or False. John first directed followers to himself and then to Jesus. [165]
6. John described himself as ?a (prophet, voice) crying in the wilderness.? [165]
7. The Spirit of God descended from heaven in the form of a ____________. [166]
8. (Herod, Herodias) nursed a grudge against John. [169]
9. True or False. John, noting that Jesus only showed mercy and not judgment, began to doubt His messiahship. [170]
10. Jesus said, "?there has not risen anyone _____________ than John the Baptist." [171]

Further Study: "John the Baptist," pp. 537-38 and "Nazirite, Nazarite," pp. 694-95 in the NIDB. Life Application: John the Baptist exemplifies those who are called to minister in the shadow of more prominent individuals. Is your ministry out of the spotlight, often unnoticed by others? How do you feel when your labors go unacclaimed? Can you sincerely echo John's statement that you must decrease so that others may increase? Name the areas in your life in which the Lord has been working greater humility.