The famous John the Baptist. Many of us have heard of or learned about him before. On the surface, it looks like he was one of the first to believe in and follow Jesus. But there is more to his story that many often miss.
What John the Baptist Is Known For
First off, who was John the Baptist? To make things clear–yes, he was Jesus’ cousin, and no, he was not the same John that wrote various books of the New Testament.
John was born to Zechariah the priest and Elizabeth, who was barren, and they were both “well along in years.” He was a child that came after much prayer, but wasn’t to be any ordinary child. The angel Gabriel paid a visit to Zechariah and told him the news that John would have the task of bringing many people back to God (Luke 1:16).
Like his name, John the Baptist is well-known to us today for baptizing people in the Jordan River. But that usually seems to be the end of what most people know. So, let’s dig deeper into his story.
John’s Task
According to Malachi 3:1, it prophesied that a messenger would come to prepare the way before the Messiah, Jesus, came.
“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.
Jesus testified in Matthew 11:10-11 that this person was John the Baptist. He came to prepare the Jewish people for their Messiah, Jesus, to come. He gathered them together, taught and baptized them, and created disciples from them.
In fact, the actual reason why John baptized people was so that the Messiah could be revealed to the people.
…the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel…I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
John 1:31, 33
So we can see why John was baptizing and why Jesus went to be baptized by him. When the holy spirit came and remained on Jesus after his baptism, John was able to testify that the Messiah had finally come. “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” he said, “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29, 34).
Now, the Messiah God had prophesied about, the messenger of the covenant spoken of in Malachi 3, had arrived and people would be able to go learn the truth from him.
What Happened Next with John the Baptist
After discovering the Messiah, Jesus, John sent all his disciples over to him, so that they could be with and learn from the promised Messiah, the Son of God. He himself joined and helped Jesus carry out his ministry.
False.
Wait, what?
That would have made sense, right? At first, John did acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, as the one all people should go to. But he himself didn’t abide by his own words. He kept some of the disciples as his own and also continued baptizing after Jesus had been revealed (John 3:23).
Let me ask you: no matter what good work John the Baptist had been doing, would it be God’s will for him to continue baptizing, gaining disciples, and then not send them over to Jesus? No. John himself said that it was his task to become less so that Jesus could become greater, but his actions didn’t match his words (John 3:30).
“Are You Really the Messiah?“
How did this happen? Where did things go off course for John? It didn’t happen in an instant, but we see in the gospels that John had become involved with issues of the world at some point. He also began to have discussions with the Pharisees and teachers of the law and was influenced by them in his thinking and beliefs.
After criticizing King Herod for taking his brother’s wife, John ended up being thrown into prison (Matthew 14:3-4). Because he began to focus on things other than his task, John lost sight of the purpose he was given. This eventually led to him questioning Jesus’ actions and even doubting if Jesus was actually the Messiah (Matthew 9:14). From prison, John heard about Jesus’ activities of preaching in the towns of Galilee. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus this:
“Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Matthew 11:3
John had seen the holy spirit come upon Jesus and had given a confident testimony about who he was, but in the end, his heart turned. Are you really the Messiah?
If we think about it from John’s perspective, surely it wasn’t easy to suddenly realize your cousin is the Messiah. Add onto that the fact Jesus did things a lot differently from John. Jesus and his disciples wouldn’t fast; John and his disciples did. I’m fasting–why isn’t the Messiah? Is this really how the Messiah should be acting? (Matthew 9:14). It’s this kind of train of thought and his focus on worldly things that led to his faith in the Messiah shaking.
John the Baptist’s Outcome: A Reed Swaying in the Wind
After being questioned if he was the Messiah, Jesus spoke to the crowd about John,
“Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me…What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?”
Matthew 11:6-7
Why would Jesus describe John as a reed who was swayed? Because in the end, his faith in Jesus wavered and he ultimately fell away. How do we know this?
“I tell you the truth; Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Matthew 11:11
Since God was with Jesus, and the place where God is, is considered to be heaven, then God dwelling in Jesus at the first coming would mean that Jesus was essentially heaven on earth at that time. Believing in and following Jesus meant that you would join the kingdom of heaven.
But John didn’t enter Jesus’ group–rather, he questioned it in the end. Therefore, Jesus said that even the lowest, the very bottom person in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than John. Meaning, John was not a part of heaven. He might have been the greatest on earth, but he didn’t enter heaven.
The Big Picture: A Small Light in the Darkness
John was someone who “prepared the way” for the Messiah. (Luke 1:17) A small light to guide the people until the true and full light came. He was God’s representative giving partial understanding until Jesus came to give a full understanding of the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament and the Law. This may seem like an isolated incident, but actually, this concept of one to prepare the way is repeated throughout the Bible.
At the time of Moses, God commanded the priests to light a lampstand during the night until the light of the sun came the next day (Exodus 27:21). In the book of Revelation which prophesies about the second coming of Jesus, we see seven messengers who are used like lampstands (Revelation 1:20). Why does there need to be a light or a messenger sent before the promised Messiah comes?
Imagine you’re wandering around in complete darkness, but you see a little light pop up in the distance. Wouldn’t you naturally go towards that light? And especially if you know that God promised to send a little light, a lamp, to gather people in preparation for the great light, the Messiah, to come. If everyone gathers to the small light, then they’ll be ready to go straight to the true light when it comes. This is how God has worked to gather his people in this world of darkness.
That small light was John. A flame to flock to, be baptized, and be taught by. Prepared for the truth Jesus was going to speak. When the true light was revealed in Jesus after his baptism by John, everyone would already be there, ready to receive him.
What Does John the Baptist’s Story Have to Do with Us?
John was someone who followed God’s commands and carried out his task in the beginning–passionate and sincere. However, we learn that even the strong can fall.
We can do countless good works, but if we don’t believe in the work of God right before our eyes, or get distracted with things of the world and abandon the will of God, then we will miss out on heaven.
Think about what that means for us. Imagine you’ve spent countless hours in church, helping with Sunday school, volunteering to help the poor, but when Jesus is right in front of you, you don’t believe in him… What a waste it would all be.
All of that work is meaningless if our faith doesn’t lead us to the one God promised to send for our salvation. Maybe you’re thinking, “Well I already believe in Jesus, so I’m okay.” That’s good, but Jesus promised to come back. And he questioned if he would find faith when he returned. (Luke 18:8)
So let’s be those with a firm faith, one that isn’t swayed. Let’s not let anything take our eyes off of Jesus and God. Let’s aim to have a firm understanding and belief of God’s word, so that nothing can shake us, and we will recognize the true light when he returns.
Written by Samantha
Read More
Would Jesus Choose to Explain the Secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven to You?
Expectation vs Reality: Jesus, the Man of Sorrows
Don’t Be Lukewarm! How to Not Get Spat Out by Jesus
Join Our Bible Study!
Are you interested in learning more about the Bible? Maybe you have lots of questions you want to ask, but don’t know where to go to ask them! If so, we’d love to help!
Consider signing up for our Bible Study where you’ll be connected with a teacher who will guide you through the basics and foundations of the Bible, and will also answer any questions you might have along the way!
You can learn more about the study by clicking the link below!
Check Out Our Other Content!
Make sure to follow us on Instagram for daily verses, prayers, and encouragement!
Do you spend most of your time on YouTube? Or maybe you like to listen to Podcasts in your free time? We’re there too! Check out our YouTube and Podcast channels also!
AudioBlog #27 People are Leaving the Church – But Why? – RE:CONNECT
Subscribe to As It Is in Heaven
If you’d like to stay up to date on our newest posts, then be sure to subscribe below!