The Life and Legacy of John The Baptist is Such a Blessing, A Miracle from God!

 

 

The life of John the Baptist is one huge legacy! John the Baptist was born to an elderly couple in an answer to their prayers and a promise by God, John grows up to be a prophet, although he never says he is, but preaches of the coming of the messiah. He fulfills Biblical prophecy by recognizing Jesus Christ as the promised Savior and baptizing Him going before the Lord. Many claim that John was a cousin of Jesus. John was all about the "truth." John was known as “the Baptist” because he called on his followers to go through a ceremony of baptism to demonstrate their repentance for their sins; Jesus began his public life by submitting himself to John's baptism by water.  The one who comes after will baptize with the Holy Spirit! John's life was cut short as John the Baptist spoke only the truth. He called sin, sin. He even criticized King Herod for marrying his brother’s wife and was thrown in jail (Matthew 14:3; Mark 6:17). After spending some time in his prison cell, John sent some of his disciples to Christ. He wanted to receive confirmation about the work and mission of Christ (Matthew 11:2-6). John believed that Jesus was the Lamb of God and the Son of God (John 1:29, 34). He also believed He was the Christ—the coming Messiah who will conqueror and rule. But perhaps he was expecting Christ to start conquering then instead of letting him remain in jail. That was not to be, however. While John was in prison, Herod threw a party. His wife’s daughter danced and pleased him so much that he promised her whatever her heart desired. “So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, ‘Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter’” (Matthew 14:8). Herod was sorry, but because of his oaths he felt trapped into ordering John to be killed. John the Baptist knew that he had been called by God to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah: “The voice of one crying in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; make His paths straight’” (Matthew 3:3, quoting Isaiah 40:3).  John was humble, all about the truth, and wanted all of us to repent and prepare ourselves to receive God. This week's Gospel reading gives a nice account of the life and legacy of John the Baptist as follows:

Gospel

John 1:6-8, 19-28

A man named John was sent from God.

He came for testimony, to testify to the light,

so that all might believe through him.

He was not the light,

but came to testify to the light.

And this is the testimony of John.

When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests

and Levites to him

to ask him, “Who are you?”

He admitted and did not deny it,

but admitted, “I am not the Christ.”

So they asked him,

“What are you then? Are you Elijah?”

And he said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

So they said to him,

“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?

What do you have to say for yourself?”

He said:

“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,

‘make straight the way of the Lord,’”

as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Some Pharisees were also sent. 

They asked him,

“Why then do you baptize

if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?”

John answered them,

“I baptize with water;

but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,

the one who is coming after me,

whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”

This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,

where John was baptizing.

                                                        

What a blessing! A miracle! A time to rejoice and be joyful always!