JOHN THE BAPTIST By: G. Colleen Henry
AN UNUSUAL BIRTH As we know the birth of John the Baptist was strange and unusual. John the Baptist was born of parents who were both old and stricken in years. We do not know the exact age of them but we do know that his mother Elisabeth had been barren throughout her marriage to Zacharias the high priest. They were both from the tribe of Levi and Zacharias was executing the office of the priest during the time of incense and prayers, (Exodus 30:7-8).
BABY ON THE WAY! The angel Gabriel stood on the right side of the altar of incense and gave Zacharias a message from God. He told him that he and Elisabeth would have a child and his name would be John who would be great in the sight of God, John would be a Nazarite, (Luke 1:15). He and Elisabeth would have joy and gladness, and many would rejoice at his birth. John would not drink wine or strong drink; and he would be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. Because of this child, many of the children of Israel would turn to the Lord their God, (Malachi 4:5-6, 1 Kings 18: 36-40, Luke 1:17).
SO HARD TO BELIEVE We also know that Zacharias was fearful when he saw the angel. He also had doubt because of his age and Elisabeth’s age. And because of his unbelief, he was made dumb, not being able to speak until the days of those things came to past. After Zacharias finished ministration of the priest office, Elisabeth conceived and hid herself for five months. This was the time that the Lord looked upon her and favored her to take away her reproach, (Luke 1:24-25).
CONSUMED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE WOMB In Elisabeth’s 6th month, Mary the mother of Jesus came to visit her and John the Baptist leaped in her womb. It was the voice of Mary and her salutation that made John leap for joy that the mother of his Savior was there. John recognized the presence of Christ even as a fetus through the Holy Spirit. Elisabeth, too, was filled with the Holy Spirit and blessed Mary the Mother of Jesus.
JOHN THE BAPTIST IS BORN When Elisabeth gave birth, she had a son and everyone rejoiced because the Lord had showed great mercy for her. When it was time to name her son the neighbors thought he should be named after Zacharias but Elisabeth and Zacharias knew the angel said his name would be John. Zacharias wrote the name John to the people. At that point his tongue was loosed and he praised God. Those who witnessed this marveled and fear fell on the people and they wondered at this child and what he should be. Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied about John the Baptist.
A PROPHET LIKE NO OTHER God said that there was no man born of a woman like John the Baptist because he was filled with the Spirit from the womb and recognized his Savior before he was born. When he became an adult, John the Baptist wore rough clothes due to the harshness of his environments, which were the wilderness and desert. He ate locust and wild honey, growing strong in the Holy Spirit.
SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE What does this represent spiritually? Locust and wild honey represents food grown of itself which represent the word of God that had to be searched for. This food was not cultivated like food grown on a farm and did not grow to its fullest because of the harsh conditions in the wilderness and desert Yet the wild honey represented the sweet word of God and his mysteries found within his word, (1 Samuel 14:25-27, Psalms 19:7-11, Judges 14:8-9). The wild honey is the hidden sweet word of God which enlightens our eyes. John the Baptist wore rough clothes and he wore a leather girdle. This represented the truth he walked in. The leather made from cow hide is strong and unbreakable, (Ephesians 6:14).
BAPTISM As we know, John’s signature work was that of baptism. What is baptism exactly? It is full submersion of a person into the water. This act symbolizes purification, and our devotion to Christ. It also represents the burial and resurrection of Christ, which is our hope. Finally, baptism points to the death and burial of our old life of sin and the rising again of our new life of obedience in Jesus.
THE WORK OF JOHN THE BAPTIST John the Baptist told the people about Christ’s coming and he of course baptized them. These teachings and baptism was new to the people. Something they had never heard of. He baptized them unto repentances. When he baptized men he said to “repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Why did he preach in the wilderness and desert? Because it represented the conditions of God’s children during the time of Christ as well as our time.
BLIND TO THE TRUTH In those days the people were lost, confused, blind, lame and full of idolatry as well as the cares of the world. Yet there were some who believed because John the Baptist who was a sign of Christ. He prepared the way of the Lord and gave knowledge of salvation unto the people by the remission of their sins. Remission is the forgiveness or pardon of sins.
BAPTISM OF WATER VS BAPTISM OF FIRE John the Baptist also knew that the baptism of water pointed to a greater work that would be done in the last days..... “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:� In this statement, he was prophesying of the works of Christ & the Holy Ghost.
JOHN’S FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST John the Baptist first met Christ who sought to be baptized by him. Initially, John the Baptist was apprehensive. He did not feel he was worthy because he knew that Christ was God. But Christ’s response was this.... “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.”
WORK OF JOHN THE BAPTIST DECREASING John the Baptist was the beginning of the gospel, preparing the way for Christ. The more that the works of Jesus increased, meant that the works of John the Baptist would come to an end. John, himself, knew this. He said to the people that he must decrease in order for Christ to increase (St. John 3: 30)
JOHN THE BAPTIST IN PRISON John the Baptist was thrown in prison by King Herod, after John had spoke against his adulterous relationship with his brother’s wife, Herodias. While in prison, John the Baptist heard of all the good works that Christ was doing and sent 2 of his disciples to inquire about him, (Matthew 11:2-3). Christ sent a message to him about all the miracles that were being done by him and his disciples, stating this “The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”
DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST As mentioned before, Herod and Herodias were offended at John the Baptist for speaking against their relationship. As such, Herodias wanted to kill John the Baptist but could not because Herod feared John and the people, (Mark 6: 17-28). Fortunately for Herodias, Herod was celebrating his birthday and made supper for his lord, captains, and the chief estates of Galilee. Little did the men know that Herodias set up her daughter to do a provocative dance before Herod and his lords. This dance greatly pleased Herod and his guest and he swore to give her whatever she wanted even up to the half of his kingdom. We can see the effects of wine and women on these wicked men. Being a damsel, she went straight to her mother to ask what she should ask for. Herodias was very wicked and told her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist.
JOHN THE BAPTIST EXECUTED Herod being the king with power could not back down from his promise in front of his captains and lords even though he was sorry. But because of this oath he sent the executioners to behead John and bring his head in a charger.
CONCLUSION John the Baptist, along with many other prophets and disciples were martyrs for the truth, that is, they were willing to sacrifice their own lives. We have learned that through the Holy Spirit, we have the courage and faith to do whatever it takes to obey God’s law. In fact, it is the Spirit that teaches us Christ’s word and it is he that gives us the words to teach if that is our calling. It was John the Baptist’s calling to prepare the people for the 1st coming of Christ. Even as the fetus, he was consumed with the Holy Ghost and as he grew he remained strong and perfect in the Lord. Without the Holy Spirit, John the Baptist would not be able to live like Christ nor would he be able to die in Christ. Amen.
SPECIAL THANKS This presentation was based on the class entitled “A Prophet Like Moses” by: G. Colleen Henry
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