The son of a temple priest baptized his cousin-the Savior of the world. Jesus' ministry began with this wonderful event, and Christians everywhere owe much to the relationship between John and Jesus.
From Isaiah To The Gospels
John was the predicted one to introduce humankind to the coming Messiah. Isaiah 40:3 foretold this: "A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.'"
The prophet's business was to point. The direction in which he pointed was usually to the coming of God's kingdom here on earth. It was not so much a matter of pointing to the future, but pointing to where he saw God working in the lives of those around him.
The Preacher in the Woods
Although the son of a temple priest, John was more of a "back woods" preacher. He was the son of Elizabeth, who was the cousin of the Virgin Mary. According to the Gospel of Mark, "John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey." (Mark 1:6)
What made this preacher different? He did not speak of priestly ritual or ideas of purification. Instead, his message was one of social justice and repentance. According to Bruce M. Metzger, he was contemporary: "John called the nation at large - every class and every individual - to repentance as the indispensable preparation for participating in the blessings of the new epoch."
The Beginning of a New Ministry and a New Agreement
After John baptized him, Jesus began a three-year ministry, much of which would eventually be recorded and become what Christians call the New Testament.
The day of Jesus' baptism John saw him coming and cried, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me ...'" (John 1: 29-30)
John's own testimony brought clarity to the people of his day and he even used others to gain verification when in Luke 7:20 he sent men to Jesus to ask him if was indeed the Messiah.
The Confession That Brings Clarity and Draws Boundaries
The Gospel of John provides one of the clearest and most powerful statements for Christians of all generations: "He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, 'I am not the Christ.'" (John 1:20) It is a statement that can serve as a sort of pressure relief valve for 21st Century Christians. It can absolve one of the stress, guilt, and hurt that plagues so many in this post-modern world.
Especially if you are in a Christian leadership role of any kind, reminding yourself that, "I am not the Christ" can be quite liberating, thanks to Jesus and John.
Sources:
- Holy Bible. New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973.
- Metzger, Bruce M. The New Testament: Its Background, Growth, & Content. Nashville: Abington Press, 2003.
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