John The Baptist

This was the message that John the Baptist preached as he stood on the banks of the Jordan. Repent because the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He had been ordained at birth to be a messenger to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah.

“And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord,” Luke 1:11-17 At that time his father had had a few doubts about the angel’s message. After all he was an old man now. His wife was just as old. They hadn’t had any children when they were young. How could they expect to have any children now? But the angel had spoken the truth of course. But because Zacharias had doubted the angel told him he would not be able to speak till it had all been fulfilled. About a year after this the baby was born. The neighbours got together and decided that the baby should be named Zacharias, like his father, but Elizabeth wouldn’t hear of it. She insisted his name would be John. Finally Zacharias, who still could not speak, asked for a writing pad. As the neighbours watched in anticipation, he wrote, “His name is John.” At this Zacharias could speak again.

Growing older John spent most of his time alone, meditating on the prophecies that surrounded his own birth, and the coming of the Messiah. He realized that he had been chosen to preach to the Israelites, preparing their hearts for the Messiah’s coming. So, at about thirty years of age, He went to the Jordan and began to preach. Hundreds and thousands of people crowded to hear him. Suddenly John’s voice rings out sharp and clear, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. The people started! Was this the Messiah? They looked around, trying to get a glimpse of the Messiah. They saw no one that looked like a king or a ruler. All the people were dressed in the garments of the common people. There was no one there dressed like any type of ruler. The people quickly settled down again and kept on listening to John. A few days later John, pointing into the crowd, again declared “Behold the Lamb of God” This time the people were startled.

Everyone in Judea knew what had happened a few days before, and now this! But again the people saw no one that looked like a ruler. Again the people didn’t know who the Lamb of God was. But now the Pharisees were startled. They had heard of John the Baptist. They heard how he had attracted thousands of people to him through his preaching. They had begun to get worried about the effect this might have on them. If all the people flocked to John then the Pharisees would lose popularity. Now they heard of the startling proclamation of John. This was too much. They decided to send a delegation of Pharisees and Sadducees to the Jordan to talk to John. The stark contrast between John’s simple camel’s hair tunic and the rich robes of the Pharisees was most noticeable. The Pharisees asked him all sorts of questions about the Messiah. When they were finished they decided that John must be crazy. The Messiah couldn’t have come yet. The man John had announced as the Messiah was born in a manger. He just couldn’t be the Son of God! Another few days passed. Again Jesus appeared at the Jordan. This time He went up to John. He asked John to baptise Him. John started back in alarm. He! Baptise Jesus! This couldn’t be. He replied “I need to be baptized by you, and you want me to baptise you!” Jesus answered that it had to be this way. So John and Jesus make their way into the Jordan. Then John baptizes Jesus. As Jesus is walking out of the water the spirit of God descended on Him. It floated down till it seemed to rest on His head. Then a voice from heaven said “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” At this John declared again “Behold the Lamb of God!” This time the people saw who John was referring to. But still most of them didn’t accept Him as Messiah. Jesus didn’t look at all like a King. But Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert where He fasted for 40 days. John meanwhile kept on preaching. So much popularity surrounded his preaching that Herod himself came to see John. John was not flattered by a visit from the king. Instead he rebuked king Herod for stealing his brother’s wife. Herod didn’t mind being rebuked. But Herodias, Herod’s wife however, hated John from then on. She convinced Herod to cast John into the dungeon. But he wouldn’t go any further. She had determined to get rid of him at all costs. She soon got her chance. At Herod’s birthday a great feast was held in the palace. All the men of the court were there. Alcoholic drinks flowed freely. Herodias realized that this was her chance. She sent her daughter to dance for Herod. Herod was flattered. He offered to give her anything she wanted. She asked for the head of John the Baptist. King Herod was stuck. He had given his word. He was too drunk to think of a way out. So he sent soldiers to behead John the Baptist. John’s mission had been accomplished.
Amen

Ben Dammasch,
Queensland, Australia