some thoughts on John the Baptist

Some text from a sermon series I wrote, I thought I would share. If this goes well I might share more of it. 

John the Baptist, A Man Born with a Destiny

             John the Baptist was a man who lived at the same time as Jesus. He had a ministry that preceded Jesus’ ministry. John the Baptist had disciples, crowds of people that followed him around and a message about repentance. What makes John so remarkable though, is that his birth was foretold, his ministry announced and Jesus called him the greatest person every born (Matt 11:11). John was a man born with a destiny (John 1:6).

            This brings up the questions, what is a destiny? And do I have a destiny?  A destiny is often thought to be something uncontrollable, a simple plan that life will follow automatically. However, destiny can be more closely represented by the truth that God knows all of us (Luke 12:6-7) and wants to participate in our lives (Eph 3:20). We all have a destiny.

The Revelation: A delivered message

            John the Baptist was the son of a Priest named Zacharias, who received a message from God. The story is told in Luke 1:8-25 and it begins with a revelation in the form of a delivered message. Zacharias had been chosen at this occasion to be the priest going into the Temple to offer incense. He was chosen by casting lots according to the customs of the priesthood, this is interesting because of what happens to him. When destiny is involved considering the source of the message is important. The scripture says that an angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias while he was in the temple (1:11). This verse makes it clear that the Lord has a message for Zacharias.

            The message from God is delivered by an angel. God wanted Zacharias to hear his message so He sent an angel. There are only a few accounts of angelic messages in scripture so the importance of the message is implied. The Gospel of Luke shows the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus with their similar birth announcements and how John would be part of the larger salvation scheme.[1] As the message was delivered the destiny began on earth, the destiny must have been prepared before the message could be delivered.

            The message was delivered to Zacharias the priest but why Zacharias? Who was this man that he should receive this message? The priesthood was not open to anyone, only descendants of Aaron from the tribe of Levi were allowed.[2]  Zacharias was following in the family business; he had accepted the responsibility to serve the community. Also, Luke’s retelling of the message reveals that Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were seeking God about having children (Luke 1:13). Zacharias was a man following and seeking after God and he received a message from God.

            Zacharias received a message that his wife would have a son and he would be called John.  This wasn’t all though, John was to be great in the sight of the Lord, filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb, and would bring people back to God (Luke 1:13-16). What a message, what a destiny. Is there a message for us about our destiny? There might not be an angelic visitation but God has left messages for us that pertain to destiny. The scriptures tell us that God knows every hair on our head (Luke 12:7), and Paul wrote that God is offering eternal life to anyone willing to accept it (Rom 6:23). These scriptures show that God has a general plan for everyone and even that God knows us all as individuals. God is with us, directing our steps, and caring for us.[3]

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[1] Paul W. Hollenbach, “John the Baptist” The Anchor Bible Dictionary: Volume 3  Freedman, David Noel. (New York, NY: Doubleday, 1992),889.

[2] John Phillips, Exploring People of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2007), 60.

[3] Andrew B. Davidson, The Called of God  Edited by J.A. Patterson  (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1902), 231.