John the Baptist – continued

After the baptism by John, Jesus departed into the wilderness for a time where Satan tempted him after 40 days and 40 nights. After that ordeal, Jesus again returned to the world of men. When John the Baptist saw Jesus walking by, John said to two of his disciples that were with him that Jesus was the Lamb of God. (See John chapter 1, verses 35 to 37)

35 ¶ Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

Now to me this is remarkable because so often, when men gain popularity, they jealously seek to guard it. John, although greatly admired and followed by many, did not seek any glory for himself but remained faithful to his primary mission; to be the forerunner of Jesus Christ. Humbly and with love, he directed some of his faithful followers to follow the greater light, Jesus. These two men obediently follow Jesus, we know from holy writ that these two, John and Andrew, became part of the inner circle of Jesus.

The ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus overlapped, naturally the followers of the half cousins were desirous for maintaining the popularity of their leaders. When the followers of John came complaining to John about the increasing prominence of Jesus, this humble man testifies again of his role, likening himself to being a friend of the bridegroom. He tells his followers that he (John) must decrease but the Saviour must increase, he concludes by saying that belief in the Son will give eternal life. (see John chapter 3, verses 22 to 36)

22 ¶ After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 ¶ And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 ¶ Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

I apologise for the length of the passage but the testimony of John to me is filled with courage and humility where he both testifies of the divinity of Christ and the obligation resting upon all men to accept Jesus Christ.

As a true prophet John does not court the popularity of men, nor fear them. When he denounces Herod for marrying his brother’s wife, Herod has John cast into prison but does not kill him due to John being regarded as a prophet by the common man. (Read Matthew chapter 14, verses 3 to 5)

3 ¶ For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.
4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

While languishing in prison, John continues to be visited by a few of his most faithful disciples. In one of his most heroic acts, that is so often misunderstood, he send these faithful followers to ask Jesus a question, is He the Messiah who should come or must they look for another? Jesus answers these followers of John with miraculous acts that He performs in their presence. He then tells them to go and tell John what they have seen. (Read Matthew chapter 11, verses 2 to 6)

2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
5 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.
6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Can this be considered doubt on the part of John, whose mission was to testify of Christ? Or was it to get his followers to leave him, even desert him to follow the Greater Light? I personally believe it was the latter, that John wanted his faithful followers to leave him, alone, in prison, facing probable doom. What a masterful teacher John was, in both word and deed.

When these followers of John left, Jesus give tribute to this noble man, naming him amongst the greatest of prophets. (Read Matthew chapter 11, verses 7 to 15)

7 ¶ And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Imagine! Such a tribute from the Son of God. I doubt John was a perfect man but he certainly lived his life to its full potential.

If we could live our lives with such courage and integrity, we could truly be satisfied with the purpose of our lives.