The dusty caves of Qumran, which are on the western shore of the Dead Sea, currently lie vacant. There are hundreds of caves covering the landscape.
Roughly one thousand years prior to Jesus’ birth, young David hid for his life from the avenging King Saul. It was also from this wasteland that John the Baptist, one of the greatest men to ever live, emerged, just six months before Jesus was born.
The story of John the Baptist
John’s birth was unarguably miraculous. His father, Zechariah, a Levitical priest of the order of Abijah, was selected to minister to the Lord in the Holy Place. This was a rare and respected honor. There, while praying before the Lord and offering incense, an angel of the Lord encountered him and told him his wife would soon bear him a son in his old age.
This son would be great and would be filled with the Holy Spirit. He would turn the wayward hearts of the people back to their God and would be a forerunner, calling the people to prepare the way for the Lord as the prophet Isaiah had foretold (Isaiah 40:3-5).
In the gospel accounts, John the Baptist erupted onstage as an intimidating figure. He was rugged in both his words and appearance (Matthew 3:4). In every way, he fit the mold of a prophet, much like Elijah or Isaiah.
In one sense, he was incredibly courageous, impervious to the powerful men of the day. He swiftly exposed hypocrisy at every level of society, calling everyone – kings, priests, and peasants-to repentance.
At the same time, John the Baptist was wildly popular. Thousands came to hear him preach from all over the region, submerging themselves in the waters of baptism as a sign of their repentance (Matthew 3:5-6). The Apostle Paul, years later, even encountered followers of John the Baptist living in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey, Acts 19:1-3). Repentance was the focal point of his message, and it stirred the whole nation.
John the Baptist and Jesus the Son of God
It was to John the Baptist that the identity of the Messiah was revealed. John and Jesus were distantly related on their mother’s side (Luke 1:36), but John didn’t recognize Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah until the Spirit revealed it to him (John 1:33-34).
From the moment it was revealed to him that Jesus was the Son of God, John made it his mission to make Jesus known. John was not interested in popularity or achieving earthly recognition. Even when others tried to push him into the spotlight, he refused. He was fixed on lifting up Jesus-making Christ and his message of repentance known to mankind. In John 3:30, he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Making Jesus known wasn’t only John the Baptist’s job – it’s yours and mine too. Making Jesus known is the high calling of every Christ follower.
We make him known:
- At work
- At home
- On the ballfield or the court
- At restaurants
- In our conversations
- In our aspirations
- Above our own desires
- Above our family and friends
When this is our focus, Jesus is seen more and more in us, and our own wayward ways begin to fade in his presence.
This blog features an excerpt from our brand new book, His Way Still Works.
