CENTRAL THOUGHT
John the Baptist, born as a forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ, lived a fulfilled life.
HYMN: Christian seek not yet repose
TEXT: JOHN 1:6-8, 15-36; JOHN 3: 22-36; MARK 1:6-8
INTRODUCTION:
John the Baptist, a forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ , was given birth to by aged parents who naturally had passed the age of childbearing. The angel who announced his birth to Zechariah, his father, made it clear that he was to be Nazareth- one set apart for God’s service. He grew up being obedient to God and his parents. He lived a solitary life in the desert and ate locusts and wild honey; and wore raiment of camel’s hair (Matt.3:4). Although John the Baptist did not aim at being wealthy, famous or unique, he was determined to be committed and obedient to God and His word. He knew he had a specific role to play in God’s plan of salvation for the world. No wonder, he went about announcing the coming of the Savior with a tireless zeal. This wild-looking man had no power or position in the Jewish political system but he spoke with irresistible authority. The people who listened to him were moved by his words and responded in their hundreds because he spoke the truth, challenging them to turn from their sins and baptizing them as a symbol of their repentance.
In his bid to encourage people to embrace repentance, he challenged Herod to admit his sin of illegally getting married to Herodias (his brother’s wife) but this offended Herodias who decided to get rid of the “desert preacher”. Although she was able to have him killed, she was not able to stop his message. At this time, the Lord Jesus ministry had already begun. John had accomplished his mission.
God has given each of us a purpose for living. John the Baptist did not have complete Bible as we know it today, but he focused his life on the truth he knew from the available old testament scriptures. Likewise, we can discover in God’s word the truths He wants us to know. And as these truths work in us, others will be drawn to Him. God can use you in a way He can use no one else. Let Him know your willingness to follow Him today.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- To examine the distinguishing character of John the Baptist.
- To understand the reasons for his total commitment to his ministry.
- To highlight the significance of John’s statement in John 3:30.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. WHAT ARE THE DISTINGUISHING QUALITIES OF JOHN THE BAPTIST?
There are many characteristics that differentiated John the Baptist from many preachers. He was conceived by revelation and was given birth to by aged parents. When angel Gabriel told Zechariah, his father, about the conception and birth, he doubted and became dumb at the word of the angel until the promise was fulfilled (Luke 1:5-20). His birth was predicted in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 4:5 years before he was born. He lived in the desert and ate locusts and wild honey and wore raiment of camel’s hair (Matt.3:4).
His message was directed to all kinds of people. He preached to the people fearlessly. He was truthful in his preaching and fulfilled his calling. He reproved the King (Luke 3:19) and warned the soldiers (Luke 3:14). He was not afraid of people or the government of those days. He did not sing the praise of government and he was not a respecter of personalities. He fearlessly preached direct and uncompromising messages to the people and this gave them the confidence to go to him for baptism. Worldliness was not in his character and wherever he was, people always sought him. Even when he called them names, they still sought him.
He was entrusted with the mission of preparing the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. He did no miracle (John 10:41). Although he was human he did not allow himself to be controlled by the emotions or the flesh. The Lord Jesus Christ commended and called him a burning and a shining light ( John 5:35). Yet he was beheaded by King Herod at the request of Queen Herodias (Matt.14:3; Mk 6:17). Indeed, John the Baptist was unique in character in his own way.
Q2. HOW LONG DOES ONE NEED TO PREPARE FOR THE TAKE OFF OF HIS MINISTRY?
The period needed for the take off of the ministry of an individual called of God to carry out a specific assignment depend on some factors which include the nature of the ministry, God’s timing and purpose.
The nature of any ministry depends on what God wants to achieve through it and this will in turn determine whether it is going to be urgent or not. When God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, he immediately swung into action after failing to convince God that he (Moses) was unable to accomplish the task. The Israelites have been in bondage for four hundred years and it was time for God to deliver them through Moses.
When David was anointed King of Israel, he had to wait for the appropriate time (God’s time) to ascend the throne. However, when God demanded that Paul and Barnabas be separated unto Him for a specific purpose, they immediately went to fulfill that purpose without wasting any time.
The birth of John the Baptist as a forerunner of Christ was predicted in Malachi 4:5. When he was born, he grew up to maturity before fulfilling his ministry. This period of growth, up to maturity, in readiness for the fulfillment of his ministry was his time of preparation.
Finally, it is important to note that the spiritual state of readiness of the individual called by God to perform a specific assignment can also affect the time of take-off of a ministry.
Q3. WHAT WERE THE REASONS FOR HIS TOTAL COMITTMENT?
From the onset of his ministry on earth, John the Baptist knew and fully understood the importance of his mission. This was reflected in his personal testimony to the priests and Levites who were detailed by the Jews in Jerusalem to enquire who he was, “he said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord.” John 1:23. In Luke 3 verse 6, he added that all flesh shall see the salvation of God. No wonder, he stirred up the hearts of his listeners to repent for the kingdom of the Lord is at hand, Matt.3:2; 4:17.
As a son of a priest, his father must have brought him up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, teaching him to be faithful and totally committed to God’s command and instruction. Also, his father must have narrated the circumstances surrounding his birth to him, warning him against the dangers of doubting God’s word.
The solitary and prayerful life he lived in the wilderness must have helped him to be focused and purposeful in fulfilling his ministry as Christ’s forerunner. He was determined to do the will of God and not to compromise His word no matter the cost. This made him to resolve that Christ must increase while he decreased.
Q4. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JOHN’S STATEMENT IN JOHN 3:30 IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER?
When the disciples of John the Baptist came to him to inform him that the Lord Jesus Christ was baptizing people, he reminded them that he had told them that he was not Christ and that he already testified of the Christ. He also told them that his work was to prepare the way for the Messiah and that he is filled with joy to hear His success. Then he concluded by saying “ he must increase, but I must decrease”, John 3:30.
John’s willingness to decrease in importance and bow out for the Lord Jesus Christ to fulfill His ministry shows an unusual humility. He was not jealous of Christ when he heard that He (Christ) was also baptizing people. Rather, he was filled with joy that the people are getting to know the Messiah. How many pastors or Christian leaders are willing to quit the scene and bow out to someone else when they know that have fulfilled their mission and they are becoming more popular? Many would like to continue in their ministry whether they are making impact or not. But it is better to quit the scene when the ovation is loudest.
For the individual believer, the statement: “ He must increase, but I must decrease” should mean playing down one’s self exaltation and the manifestation of self and the works of flesh in order for God’s Spirit to give full expression of Himself in us. When we come to this point, our focus will be to manifest God’s glory in everything we do.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Believers can learn a lot from the unique way John the Baptist carried out his God given assignment. He was called of God to be the forerunner of Christ, to announce His coming and to call on people to repent of their evil ways. His commitment and dedication in carrying out this task is worthy of commendation and believers are encouraged to emulate him. His style of living may be out of tune with present day living standard but that he was contented and carried out his task with zeal and zest, is worthy of emulation. His commitment to his calling and his high level of performance without compromising his faith should be emulated in order to win the world for Christ.
Believers in general and preachers of the gospel in particular should emulate John’s style of preaching fearlessly and uncompromising to people irrespective of their social status and position in government.
MEMORY VERSE:
John 4:34.
“Jesus saith unto, My meat is to do the will of HIM that sent me and to finish His work”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
Monday: A forerunner and a Savior promised. Malachi 4:5; Isaiah 40:3-5; 9:6; Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Jer.23:5.
Tuesday: The birth of John and Jesus. Luke 1:10-80.
Wednesday: John’s ministry begins. Matt.3:1-7.
Thursday: John’s testimony about Jesus. John 1:15-36; John 2:30-31.
Friday: Jesus testimony about John the Baptist. Matt.11:7-15.
Saturday: The death of John the Baptist. Mark 6:14-29