Advent is the time of year when Christians prepare themselves spiritually for the coming holy day of Christmas, the remembrance of the coming of the Savior into the world as our Redeemer. It is a time of spiritual renewal, along with hope and preparation for His Second Coming. As we finish up the second week of Advent, let’s take a look at a figure that is frequently featured in Gospel passages during this season, John the Baptist. Let’s see what we can learn from his short life.
As our Scripture opens, John the Baptist has appeared on the scene, preaching a message of repentance from one’s sinful life, and to prepare for the coming of the One the prophets have foretold. Earlier in the Gospel of Luke we read of John’s rather special birth. His parents were Zechariah, who was a priest in the Temple, of the line of Aaron, and Elizabeth, who was related to the Virgin Mary. They were an elderly couple, who had been unable to have any children, despite their prayers. Then one day, while Zechariah was performing his priestly duties in the Temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, and told him that they will have a son who will be the forerunner to the Messiah. Zechariah doubted this, as they were way past the age to have any children. His lack of faith caused him to become mute until John was born (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80).
John the Baptist was six months older than his cousin, Jesus, and sometime during his adult years, he left Judea, where he had been born and raised. John abandoned the rather affluent life he had lived as a member of the priestly class, and went into the wilderness east of the Jordan River, to live a life of prayer and meditation, drawing closer to the Lord. John forsook the fine clothes and good food that he had all his life, and instead dressed in clothes made from leather and camel hair, and ate a diet of locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4).
John’s public ministry began several months before Jesus came on the scene. He came out from the wilderness and began preaching, staying mainly by the Jordan River, east of Jerusalem. John preached a message primarily of repentance and turning from sin to the Lord God. He also spoke of the coming of the Messiah, which he believed would be soon, and to prepare for His arrival.
John had an important job to do for God, that of announcing the coming of the Savior. He put all of his energy and all of his dedication into this task. John preached with irresistible authority and truth. He challenged the crowds to turn from their sins, and he baptized them as a symbol of their repentance. However, he never forgot that his main role was to announce the coming of the Savior.
One thing that distinguished John the Baptist from many of the preachers of his day, and especially most preachers of today, is that he fearlessly spoke out against sin. He didn’t cater to the crowds, preaching only what would please them. He didn’t tiptoe around their feelings, seeking not to offend anyone. He preached God’s Word with power, whether it offended anyone or not. John was fearless in confronting sin, even in the king. He was uncompromising. He knew that standing for the truth was more important than life itself, and it ultimately cost him his life.
In our Scripture, Luke quotes from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3-5; Isaiah 52:10), indicating that John was fulfilling these prophecies, that he was the voice crying in the wilderness to prepare for the coming of the Lord (vs. 4-6). When a monarch in ancient times traveled around his kingdom, he had men go ahead of him to make sure the roads were safe and smooth. John the Baptist was calling on people, both Gentiles as well as Jews, to make sure and prepare their hearts for the coming of the Messiah.
How well are we preparing for the coming of the Lord Jesus? Many of you might be busy decorating your house for Christmas. You may be busy shopping and baking, but are you taking any time to be sure your heart and life are prepared for the Lord Jesus? John the Baptist, along with the Lord Jesus, preached repentance, a turning away from sin and turning towards God. The crooked and rough ways in our life must be made straight and smooth. We can’t say that we believe and then go and do anything we choose. John was uncompromising in his message against sin, and we must be, as well, to prepare a place for the Lord in our hearts.
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