The Sign of John the Baptist

Read Malachi 4:5-6 and Matthew 11:10-15

“This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist…” (Matthew 11:10-11)

One of the greatest commendations Jesus ever offers about a human being was what He says about John the Baptist. Jesus affirmed that there was really no one quite like John.

Even with that great commendation, John the Baptist knew clearly who he was and who he wasn’t. That understanding shaped the way he lived and ministered. When John was questioned by religious leaders about his identity, he makes it clear that he is not the Messiah, Elijah, or the Great Prophet promised in Deuteronomy. Instead, he says, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord’” (John 1:23). John echoes that later in his ministry when he said to his disciples: “You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him’” (John 3:28). He was not the Messiah but the one who prepares for the Messiah’s coming. John knew who he was and who he wasn’t.

Not only that, John knew who the Messiah was – Jesus of Nazareth – and he sought to direct attention to Jesus. The most memorable example was when Jesus passed by and John exclaimed to his followers, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (1:29).

In many ways, John the Baptist is an appropriate focus for the beginning of our Lenten journey with the Hebrew prophets. John is a prophet, and he is a prophet foretold in the earlier Hebrew prophets. As with all the biblical prophets, John directs attention to the One who deserves it most. As we begin this Lenten journey of seeing Jesus in the Hebrew prophets, let’s follow John the Baptist’s words and gestures to focus on Jesus as the promised Messiah of God.

DIG DEEPER:

• What stands out to you about John’s attitude about himself in relation to Jesus?
• How might we learn from John about directing attention to Jesus in our own lives?

written By Matt Erickson