LESSONS FROM JOHN THE BAPTIST

Source: Google Images

John the Baptist was from a priestly family, Zechariah his father, being from the division of Abijah, was a direct descendant of Aaron, the very first High Priest of Israel. His mother was descended from Aaron as well, so it would have been natural for him to follow his in father’s footsteps and become a priest, actually that was to be expected of him, but God had a totally different plan for his life.

As a son of a priest, I’m sure John was taught the Scriptures growing up and when he was of age, instead of joining his father in the priesthood, or even doing some chores in and around the temple, he was led off into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and lived there until it was time for him to come out preaching and baptizing.

⁸⁰ As John grew up, God’s Spirit gave him great power. John lived in the desert until the time he was sent to the people of Israel. – Luke 1:80 CEV 

Lesson Number 1:

God’s will and plan for your life may be totally different from what your heritage, upbringing and surroundings may seem to suggest. Go with His plans, He knows the future, He’s there already and He’s with you all the way.

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It is interesting to note that even though John and Jesus were related (Mary was related to Elizabeth) and John as a baby in his mother’s womb had jumped for joy when Mary paid Elizabeth a visit, John had no idea of who Jesus really was until it was revealed to him when Jesus came to be baptized. He had probably thought of him as one of his many distant relatives, or a so-many-times removed cousin, or simply just part of his extended family up to that point.

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³¹ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”– John 1:29, 31 NIV

Lesson Number 2:

Faithfulness is very important. Even if you do not fully understand why the Lord is asking you to do something, just be faithful and do it. Had John stopped baptizing in the river Jordan and decided to go minister in the temple, He would have missed the revelation of Jesus as the Lamb of God, and we wouldn't have His testimony today. He would've missed the very reason he was sent to baptize, which was to reveal Christ to Israel.

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Source:Google Images

When the disciples of John the Baptist came to report to him of the success of Jesus’ ministry and how his disciples were baptizing more people than John, John’s joyful and humble reaction probably wasn’t what they were expecting:

²⁷ John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ ²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. ³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease. – John 3:27-30 NKJV

Lesson Number 3:

John’s joyful and humble response is a demonstration of how secure he was in the One who had sent him; it also reveals the satisfaction he had knowing that he had accomplished what he was sent to do. When you are secure in who you are in Christ and are busy doing what He has called you to do, you will have no problem rejoicing over someone else’s success in ministry. Insecurity leads to strife, security produces joy and humility.  

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When he was in prison, John second guessed himself and sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was really the Messiah, he felt kind of offended at Him. He probably thought if Jesus was truly the Messiah, He would’ve done something about his situation, or perhaps he thought He would’ve immediately deposed Herod, sent the Romans packing and ascended the throne of David and delivered Israel…who knows. Jesus’ response to John’s doubt and offense:

Source: Google Images

²⁰ When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’” ²¹ And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.

²² Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. ²³ And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” – Luke 7:20-23 NKJV

Lesson Number 4:

The moment we experience doubt or feel disappointed at God when things don't go our way, let us come to Him, He will always reassure us of His perfect love and His far better plan for our lives. As the psalmist said "He knows our frame and remembers that we are dust". He is working out His master plan and many times we do not see the big picture, trust Him to reassure you of His presence, power and provision in your life.

 There are many more lessons from the brief life and ministry of John the Baptist, these are not the only ones. Blessings.