Bible Character Studies: John the Baptist

John the Baptist

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John was the forerunner, the voice in the wilderness crying out, ‘Get ready, Someone is coming! In fact, He’s already here among you, and you don’t even know Him.’ They didn’t recognize the significance of the Person about to come on the scene. (1:23,26)

John came baptizing with water, but the coming One would baptize with the Holy Spirit. John recognizes the superiority of this One. He claimed to not be worthy to untie his sandals. He said this One was preferred before him, for He existed before him. (1:15, 30, 33) This “before me” can’t refer to Jesus being older than John, for John was born first. Remember, his mother Elizabeth was further along in her pregnancy than Mary (Luke 1:36). She was six months along when Mary received the message from Gabriel, so something greater must be in mind.

John the Baptist also recognized pre-born Jesus in Mary’s womb (Luke 1:41-43). He leapt for joy in his mother’s womb at the appearance of Jesus, and his mother Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She also recognized the significance of Mary’s pregnancy because she referred to her as “the mother of my Lord.”

John denied being the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet. He understood his role was to magnify the Messiah, like a friend of the bridegroom magnifies the bridegroom (3:29) His job was to bear witness to the True Light (1:8) It was time for this Jesus, whom Israel nor John did not know, to be revealed to Israel (1:31) Jesus thus began His public ministry with baptism. We should begin our spiritual walk with a public declaration as well.

John also knew by a message from God how to recognize Jesus (1:33). The Spirit would descend on Him and remain there. This sign would confirm the identity of the Messiah. Twice, he points Jesus out and says, “Behold the Lamb of God.” (1:29,36) This hints at the idea that He has come as a sacrificial lamb; the reason? To take away the sin of the world.

Twice, John says, “I did not know Him.” (1:31,33) Apparently, although they were second cousins, Jesus and John had no contact with each other during the early years; Jesus living in Nazareth and John living a nomadic, ascetic life. But John recognized Him once the prophetic sign was fulfilled.

John’s disciples, including Andrew now leave John the Baptist and follow Jesus. John doesn’t seem to mind; it was his purpose, like how we raise our children to leave our nest and live on their own. He said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)