Based on John 1:6-9 (New King James Version)
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”
John the Baptist was possibly one of the most important people in the history of mankind, especially when considering the prophecies and his mission. What makes him so special? Many things! To start, the Lord Himself showed him as being more than a prophet, as it is written: “When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’ For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.’” Luke 7:24-28a. He genuinely was chosen before being born, having a great likeness with the Lord Himself. He is the only person, aside from the Lord, that his coming was foretold much before it happened, for it is written: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’” Isaiah 40:3-5. This was said of him more than 700 years before Christ. The fulfillment of this prophecy signals the coming of the Lord to the earth. Without John the Baptist, the Messiah would have not manifested Himself.
And finally, the ministry of John the Baptist, by fulfilling the prophecy, prepared the way for the Lord. The ministry of John the Baptist was the personification of what the Holy Spirit does today: announcing Jesus as Lord, and helping people come to the acknowledgement and repentance of all their sins, those things that prepare each life for God’s eternal salvation. Without both functions, the ministry of the Lord would not have been complimented nor fulfilled. The Scriptures tells us the following: “Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, John answered, saying to all, ‘I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.’ And with many other exhortations he preached to the people.” Luke 3:15-18. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’ ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.’’ John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.” Mark 1:1-5.
These things are key and they need to be taken into consideration; recognizing the work of the Holy Spirit by: accepting His announcing that Jesus is Lord, and that we need to acknowledge, repent, and convert from all of our sins. Without these things, it is impossible to be saved. These are fundamental parts of the sound doctrine. John’s ministry was key even up to that, by leaving framed that which must happen in every person that looks to obtain eternal life, both back then, and now.
John the Baptist was a unique man that finally died for His God and His justice. But, despite the fact that he was an incredible person, and if we truly value him as such, we cannot focus on him, but rather, we must focus on what he came to do. He was the personification of the Holy Spirit during that length of time, and as such, we need to be obedient to what he left established. God Himself left this established from the very heavens: “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” Matthew 3:16-17. God did not say that John was His beloved son. He said that about Jesus. Jesus is that true light of which John spoke of. Jesus is the Word. Jesus is the I AM. Jesus was the one that died on the cross. Jesus was the one that paid for our sins. Jesus was the one that was raised from the dead. Jesus is the one that is sitting at this moment at the right hand of God’s throne. Jesus is the one that will come for His church during the end times, which is soon. And Jesus is and will always reign for ever and ever. As the Apostle Peter said: “This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12.
So then, have you believed and obeyed what God established through John the Baptist, and now, through His Holy Spirit? Lord bless! John