John the Baptist’s life was fueled by one burning passion — to point others to Jesus Christ and to the coming of his kingdom. Who is John the Baptist, and what is the significance of his message for our lives? Scripture tells us that John was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15, 41) by Christ himself, whom Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit. When Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, John leaped in her womb as they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41). The fire of the Spirit dwelt in John and made him the forerunner of the coming Messiah. The Spirit led John into the wilderness before his ministry, where he was tested and grew in the word of God. John’s clothing was reminiscent of the prophet Elijah (see Kings 1:8). John broke the prophetic silence of the previous centuries when he began to speak the word of God to the people of Israel. His message was similar to the message of the Old Testament prophets, who chided the people of God for their unfaithfulness and tried to awaken true repentance. Among a people unconcerned with the things of God, it was his work to awaken their interest, unsettle them from their complacency, and arouse in them enough goodwill to recognize and receive Christ when he came. Do you point others to Christ in how you live, work, and speak?
Why did Jesus say that John the Baptist was more than a prophet? (Luke 7:26). John was the voice of the coming Consoler (John 1:23; Isaiah 40:1-3). He completed the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah (Matt. 11:13-14). What the prophets had carefully searched for and angels longed to see now came to completion as John made the way ready for the coming of the Messiah, God’s Anointed Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. With John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit begins the restoration to the humanity of the “divine likeness,” prefiguring what would be achieved with and in the Lord Jesus.
John’s baptism was for repentance — turning away from sin and taking on a new way of life according to God’s word. Our baptism in Jesus Christ by water and the Spirit results in a new birth and entry into God’s kingdom as his beloved sons and daughters (John 3:5). Jesus is ready to give us the fire of his Spirit that we may radiate the joy and truth of the gospel to a world in desperate need of God’s light and truth. His word can change and transform our lives so that we may be lights pointing others to Christ. Like John the Baptist, we are called to testify to the light and truth of Jesus Christ. Are you eager to hear God’s word and to be changed by it through the power of the Holy Spirit?
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