A longhaired and bearded figure wrapped in camel’s hide emerged from the wilderness preaching to crowds and baptizing many. When he spotted a group of Pharisees and Sadducees – the religious elite – coming to where he baptized, he declared, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:7-8 NIV). A sea of angry eyes answered his proclamation. John the Baptist was a bold and unusual preacher, and Jesus called him the greatest individual born among women.
John’s Birth
Before his mom bore John, the angel Gabriel prophesied to John’s father Zacharias, saying his child would be set apart for a special purpose. But Zacharias doubted the words of God’s messenger because his wife Elizabeth was barren and advanced in years. Consequently, the Lord made Zacharias mute until the time of his son’s birth. About six months before Christ was born, John the Baptist miraculously entered the world, and Zacharias received back his speech.
A Unique Man and Calling
John had a distinct calling: to prepare the way for Jesus the Son of God. Humility and strength marked the life of this leader. John spent time in the wilderness, wore a camel’s hair garment, and ate locusts and honey. He preached repentance and baptized his followers in water. He confronted others with their sin and led them to a change of heart. No one else ministered in the God-given way he did. Isaiah prophesied that the forerunner would be a voice crying out in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord (40:3). John perfectly fulfilled this revelation.
John the Baptist did not march to the drumbeat of the majority. Instead, he stayed true to his calling, yet many followed and embraced his teaching. He did not acquiesce to politically correct agendas. Instead, he stood his ground in defending the truth and faithfully lived out his calling. He entered the public arena first to pave the way for Jesus. He was the forerunner or the one who goes before.
On one occasion, John’s disciples pointed out that Jesus baptized more disciples than he did. He replied, “I am thrilled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater and, I must become less and less” (John 3:29b-30 NLT). John knew his mission, to bring people to Jesus the Messiah and not to himself, and yet contentment filled his soul.
Leadership Lessons
We can learn leadership principles from this godly individual.
- We should be willing to serve God in ways that may not have been done before. It is good to be open to trying something fresh and new for God’s glory.
- Like John, let’s learn to serve others with a humble heart, always pointing others to Jesus. The Holy Spirit can help us become a people who readily give Jesus all the glory.
- We should refuse to compromise our convictions. John spoke up to King Herod. He criticized Herod’s decision to divorce his former wife and marry his brother’s wife Herodias. In an answer to John’s disapproval, Herod sentenced him to prison. Later, Herodias’ daughter seductively danced before King Herod at a party, and the monarch offered her anything, up to half his kingdom. After seeking her mom’s advice, she asked for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. Herod reluctantly gave the order to have John beheaded.
There is much to say about this meek yet powerful man. John’s thunderous preaching did not stem from pride but from a holy passion to serve the Lord. Let’s allow his life to impact us toward living lives of integrity, humility, and boldness. And let us be willing to be forerunners as well in the ways that the Lord leads us.
