In the Gospel reading for this past week, for the Second Sunday of Advent, we are introduced to the man John the Baptist. He is a man that is mentioned in all four Gospels, and whose ministry was an important one in the Bible. He is also one of the more interesting people in Scripture, and it is worth taking a look at his life.
In each Gospel we are introduced to John the Baptist as he begins his ministry. In Luke’s Gospel, however, we are told the special information surrounding his birth (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80). John the Baptist’s parents were Zechariah and Elizabeth, both of the priestly line of Aaron. Elizabeth was also a relative of the Virgin Mary, making John a probable cousin of Jesus. This couple was childless, and “well advanced in age”. While serving as priest in the Temple, the archangel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, telling him that he and his wife would have a son. However, Zechariah doubted the words of the archangel, and because of that, he was mute until the date of naming of the baby John. While still within his mother’s womb, John recognized the Son of God while Jesus was within the womb of the Virgin Mary. This occurred when the two women met, and he gave a sudden, specific movement that Elizabeth immediately recognized as the babe giving honor to the other (Luke 1:41-44). John was brought up in the relatively well-off household of his priestly parents, compared to the working class background of his cousin Jesus.
When John was an adult, he left the comfort of his parent’s home, and went out into the wilderness, living the life of an ascetic, until called by the Lord to bring His message as a forerunner of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. When John did return from the wilderness he stood out for several reasons. For one, his appearance was sharply different from that of everyone else. He wore clothes made from camel hair, rather than woven cloth of linen, cotton, or wool (vs. 4). This was reminiscent of the great prophet Elijah (II Kings 1:8). John’s diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. Another reason that John was immediately noticed was his message. While in the desert, it had been revealed to John that the Messiah was about to start His public ministry, and that he was to prepare the people for that, so John returned to society with a message of repentance and baptism (vs. 1-2, 6).
John the Baptist spoke with authority. He was not afraid to speak God’s truth to anyone, whether high in power or lowly, to Jewish or Gentile. His message was the same to all - repent of your sins, turn your life around, for the Messiah is at hand. Many people flocked to hear his message, and many of the ordinary folks took his message to heart and were baptized (vs. 6). Even some of the Roman soldiers occupying the country were influenced by his message (Luke 3:14). John was the first real prophet since the time of Malachi, some four hundred years prior. He spoke the truth. He challenged people to turn from their sins, and he baptized them as a symbol of their repentance.
Repentance does not mean making a slight change. It is a 180 degree turn. When we repent, we turn away from our former ways, leaving them behind, and we turn to live for God. It involves a complete change in attitude regarding God and sin. Genuine repentance leads not only to a change in attitude, but also to a change in behavior. Merely feeling sorry for some wrong action does not constitute repentance. Genuine repentance proves itself by the fruits of a changed life (vs. 8-10).
Though John the Baptist’s words of truth moved many to repentance, they also drove others to resistance and resentment, especially among some of both the Pharisees and Sadducees. When one’s life is not right with God, people frequently don’t want to hear His Word being preached, and that was the case with many of the religious leaders. This is the same today, as many of the religious leaders and establishment do not want to hear the plain truth from God’s Word, the Bible, and try to hush or discredit those who preach boldly from Scripture, calling them crazy, just as they did to John the Baptist. This mighty prophet of God was not afraid of them, nor was he afraid to even speak the truth to King Herod, preaching against the king taking his brother’s wife to be his own (Matthew 14:3-4), which eventually led to his imprisonment and death.
John the Baptist was always obedient to the Lord. He knew that he had a specific job to do for God, and he was obedient to that. He always pointed beyond himself, never forgetting that his main role was to announce the coming of the Savior.
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