Who was John the Baptist? (Part 1)

 

Scripture: Matthew 11:7-10 (ESV)

⁷ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹ What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is he of whom it is written,

                         “ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.’

 

Devotion:

 

            In this section Jesus launches into a long teaching section about the person and work of John the Baptist. John was a mysterious figure. He came to the wilderness preaching a message that the kingdom of God was coming soon. That all should repent and be baptized for the cleansing from sin. The Jewish people at this time did not practice baptism. The only baptism that they knew about was for gentiles who wished to enter the Jewish religion. But those who were Jews by birth were not baptized. So, John was preaching something that the people were not familiar with. However, as the scriptures indicate many people came from all over Israel to be baptized by John in the Jordan river in the wilderness.

           

            Jesus’ teaching here points out that there was little to be attracted to in John from a worldly point of view. John was not like a reed shaken by the wind. By this Jesus probably meant that John was not the sort of person who changed with the winds of public opinion. He dared to speak truth to power. Because he was not a weak pliable person, he eventually got thrown in jail for calling out Herod who had married his brother’s wife.

 

            Nor was John dressed in any sort of typical religious garb. No robes of soft material for him. He was dressed in a simple outfit of camel’s hair. His dress and his speech was simple and unadorned. He would never fit in with high society. John’s attraction was that he seemed to be different from what the people were used to in a good way. John was his authentic self. He was true to his mission.

 

            Jesus then names John’s primary role. John was called to be a prophet but more than a prophet. Jesus quotes Malachi 3:1 naming John as the messenger proclaimed in that passage. John knew his calling. He was faithful throughout his short life to that mission. Jesus knew what that mission was and blessed John for it. Let us now express our thanks for John’s faithfulness.

 

Prayer:

            Lord of heaven and earth, we come before you today to praise and thank you for sending John the Baptist as a faithful prophet and messenger. Thank you for the message of repentance that John proclaimed. May we always be as faithful and steadfast as John was in proclaiming in word and deed your kingdom. Let us go out into the world as messengers of that kingdom. Amen.