John the Baptist, A man who lived
with a purpose
John the Baptist was a man born with a destiny but for
that destiny to be fulfilled there must be a life with purpose. The life of
John the Baptist shows how we can live with a purpose that is built on the
destiny God reveals to us. John was raised in a religious family and was
probably told the story of the angel visiting Zacharias, his father.[1]
However, the message of the destiny became John’s responsibility as he grew
older and he had to purpose to live out that destiny.
What
separated John the Baptist from his contemporaries?
John the Baptist
was not the typical holy man of the time. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that
John wore clothes of camel hair and ate locusts (Matt 3:4).
He lived in the
wilderness and held revival meetings which were counter cultural to the normal
religious activities of the day.[2]
John lived a life of seclusion
away from the general public and did not participate in what was considered
normal behavior (Matt 11:18).
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| Salad? anyone? |
Why did John do these things? What was the purpose of
this behavior? Was simply being different his purpose? John chose to forsake
the priestly role that would have been his and seek God in the desert.[3]
John took up the purpose of being a voice for God, a herald, or a person with a
message.[4]
His purpose was to deliver a message and everything else became of little
consequence. John was defined by his purpose; even Jesus defined him according
to how he lived (Matt 11:8-9)
The purpose of our life should be reflected in our daily life,
just like John the Baptist. The epistle
of James talks about faith and deeds coming together to ratify what we believe
(James 2:17). The purpose of our life might not be completely identified by our
actions. John had to be asked what he was doing, but he had an answer.[5]
John the Baptist was a voice for God.
Was
John’s purpose easily recognized?
People were confused by John probably much like today’s
society would be if someone lived in such a manner. More than once John was
asked who he was by the priests and Levites because there was speculation that
he was the Messiah.[6]
There were also some that thought John might have been an “Elijah” figure and
Jesus interpreted John that way too.[7]
Matthew tells us how John sent his disciples to inquire of Jesus about Jesus’ identity and ironically this was when Jesus delivers his
view on John (Matt 11:9-15). People were still wondering who John really was and
Jesus told them that John was a prophet and “more than a prophet” (v.9). John was the prophet that was preparing the
way for the Messiah (v.10). John the Baptist was a prophet in the likeness of
the Old Testament prophets; he received the word of the Lord and delivered it.[8]
John’s purpose to be a voice was not easily identified,
but the purposeful lifestyle raised questions. People speculated about his
purpose, asked questions about him and in the end had to believe what Jesus
said about him. John was a man that garnered respect from people and fear from
rulers.[9]
John lived in such a way that people could tell he had a purpose and we should
attempt to live that way as well. Jesus taught that his followers should be
like salt and light in the world (Matt 5:13-14). This analogy helps us
understand that we should be aware that we are living with a purpose in life.
John’s
purpose was not attaining his own success
John the Baptist was a prophet and Jesus may have alluded
to the fact that John was the greatest prophet.[10]
However, John did not have a business card that said that. John fulfills the
role of the Old Testament prophet by delivering the word of the lord,
confronting those in high places, and calling everyone to repentance.[11]
John’s prophetic calling had been discussed and it is confirmed
in the Bible now, however John, when questioned, doesn’t reveal this about
himself (John 1:21). Actually, he denies it and we have to wonder why. John had
a good idea of who he was, and who he was not. He was not the Messiah (John
1:19). John knew that he played a role in God’s plan and he likened himself to
an attendant of the bridegroom.[12]
John knew that without Jesus, who John identified as the Messiah, his ministry
was meaningless.[13]
John the Baptist was in the business of promoting the
Messiah, which would inevitably weaken his own ministry. John faced this lesser
role with a sense of joy and explained that Jesus should take a more prominent
place.[14]
John viewed himself not even worthy to touch Jesus sandals (John 1:27). This
was not a simple act of humility but an expression of John’s purpose.
John lived with a purpose that was visible and he never
overshadowed the reason for that purpose. The example of John the Baptist
should resonate with us. John purposed to be a voice for the Lord and he
gathered a following because of it.
People from all over the region around the Jordan River, came out to the
desert to see this prophet.[15]
John was known even by the rulers in the land, a notable one is shown by his
run in with Herod Antipas.[16]
However, in all this his purpose was always dominant to his presence.
Conclusion
and application: living with a purpose
John the Baptist has given us a great example of living
out a purpose based on a destiny. The challenge is to examine our lives and see
if we find purpose. Often we can find many purposes like providing for our
family, or excelling at work or school, or raising children properly. These are
good purposes but there is a higher purpose that should direct how we proceed
with our secondary purposes. Like John the Baptist we, as Christians, are used
by God as His voice in this world. We may not be proclaiming the physical
incarnation of Jesus on earth but we are representing the Messiah. Our life should
reflect that purpose. Our purpose may become more personalized as we seek God
and our message will develop from there, just like John the Baptist.
[1]
John Phillips, Exploring People of the
New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2007), 61.
[2]
Thomas D. Lea, and David A. Black, The
New Testament: Its Background and Message.
2nd ed. (Nashville, TN: Broadman
and Holman Publishers, 2003), 57.
[3]
Philips, 61.
[4]
Andrew B. Davidson, The Called of God Edited by J.A. Patterson (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1902), 239.
[5]
Andrew B. Davidson, The Called of God
Edited by J.A. Patterson, (Edinburgh:
T&T Clark, 1902), 239.
[6]
B. Witherington III, “John the Baptist” Dictionary
of Jesus and the Gospels (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1992),
385.
[7]
Ibid., 385.
[8]
Gerald F. Hawthorne, “Prophets, Prophesy” Dictionary
of Jesus and the Gospels (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1992), 639.
[9]
Witherington III, 388.
[10]
Gerald F. Hawthorne, “Prophets, Prophesy” Dictionary
of Jesus and the Gospels (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1992),
639.
[11]
Ibid., 639.
[12]
David John Williams, “Bride, Bridegroom” Dictionary
of Jesus and the Gospels (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1992).,
86.
[13]
Ibid. 87
[14]
Andrew B. Davidson, The Called of God Edited
by J.A. Patterson, (Edinburgh: T&T
Clark, 1902), 241.
[15]
John Phillips, Exploring People of the
New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2007), 64.
[16]
Harold W. Hoehner,”Herodian Dynasty” Dictionary
of Jesus and the Gospels (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1992),
323.
