John the Baptist Who Was He? Luke 1: 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and the power of Elijah,

John the Baptist The Greek word for plunge, dip, splash, drown or even flood is baptizo. Since John was plunging people in the Jordan River it seems more fitting to call him by the Greek term “John the Baptist,” instead of “John the Dipper,” or “John the Plunger.”

The Greek word for plunge, dip, splash, drown or even flood is baptizo.

Since John was plunging people in the Jordan River it seems more fitting to call him by the Greek term “John the Baptist,” instead of “John the Dipper,” or “John the Plunger.”

John was Unique There’s no getting around it—John the Baptist was unique. He wore odd clothes. He ate strange food. He preached an unusual message to the Judeans who went out to the wastelands to see and hear him.

There’s no getting around it—John the Baptist was unique.

He wore odd clothes.

He ate strange food.

He preached an unusual message to the Judeans who went out to the wastelands to see and hear him.

John’s Parents, Zechariah & Elizabeth But John did not aim at uniqueness for its own sake. Instead, he aimed at obedience. John’s story begins with his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth. Zechariah was a priest and a member of the tribe of Levi.

But John did not aim at uniqueness for its own sake.

Instead, he aimed at obedience.

John’s story begins with his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth.

Zechariah was a priest and a member of the tribe of Levi.

All Things Are Possible With God Zechariah and Elizabeth did not have any children. They were well past the child-bearing age. Elizabeth like so many other “barren” women would give birth to an important son. Remember, Sarah and Isaac Samson and his barren mother Hannah and Samuel Now Elizabeth would join this renowned group. John’s name and mission in life was announced to his father, Zechariah in the Gospel of Luke 1: 11-15

Zechariah and Elizabeth did not have any children.

They were well past the child-bearing age.

Elizabeth like so many other “barren” women would give birth to an important son.

Remember,

Sarah and Isaac

Samson and his barren mother

Hannah and Samuel

Now Elizabeth would join this renowned group.

John’s name and mission in life was announced to his father, Zechariah in the Gospel of Luke 1: 11-15

Gospel of Luke 1: 11-13  11  And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.  12  And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.  13  But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

 11  And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 

12  And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.  13  But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for

your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

Joy and Gladness  14  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth;  15  for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb (RSVCE).

 14  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; 

15  for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb (RSVCE).

Luke 1:14-15 “no wine or strong drink” Why “no wine or strong drink?” Dedication to the Lord was at one time reserved for the tribe of Levi. At the direction of the Lord, Moses expanded the dedication to include those outside the tribe of Levi. John was consecrated to the Lord before his birth, just as Samson and Samuel had been. The answer to why John was not allowed wine or strong drink, can be found in the Book of Numbers beginning in Chapter 6. We call this vow the Nazirite Vow.

Why “no wine or strong drink?”

Dedication to the Lord was at one time reserved for the tribe of Levi.

At the direction of the Lord, Moses expanded the dedication to include those outside the tribe of Levi.

John was consecrated to the Lord before his birth, just as Samson and Samuel had been.

The answer to why John was not allowed wine or strong drink, can be found in the Book of Numbers beginning in Chapter 6.

We call this vow the Nazirite Vow.

Why is the Nazirite Vow Important? Even before John was born he was dedicated to the Lord. That explains why, when Mary visited Elizabeth before either child was born, John jumped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. The vow explains why John dressed and ate as he did. The vow explains why he was often confused with Elijah. Certainly, John lived out the Nazirite vow.

Even before John was born he was dedicated to the Lord.

That explains why, when Mary visited Elizabeth before either child was born, John jumped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb.

The vow explains why John dressed and ate as he did.

The vow explains why he was often confused with Elijah.

Certainly, John lived out the Nazirite vow.

Even Herod John a wild-looking man had no power or position in the Jewish political system. He spoke with almost irresistible authority. Even Herod liked to hear him speak. People were moved by his words because he spoke the truth, challenging them to turn from their sins and baptizing them as a symbol of their repentance.

John a wild-looking man had no power or position in the Jewish political system.

He spoke with almost irresistible authority.

Even Herod liked to hear him speak.

People were moved by his words because he spoke the truth, challenging them to turn from their sins and baptizing them as a symbol of their repentance.

He Always Pointed to the Father They responded by the hundreds. John’s ministry was wildly successful. But even as people crowded around him, he pointed beyond himself, never forgetting that his main role was to announce the coming of the Savior. In the Gospel of John 3:30, John the Baptist says, “He {Jesus} must increase, but I must decrease.”

They responded by the hundreds.

John’s ministry was wildly successful.

But even as people crowded around him, he pointed beyond himself, never forgetting that his main role was to announce the coming of the Savior.

In the Gospel of John 3:30, John the Baptist says, “He {Jesus} must increase, but I must decrease.”

His Message Even Challenged Herod John’s words of truth that moved many to repentance forced others into resistance and resentment. John even challenged Herod to admit his sin. Herodias (Herod’s sister-in-law), the woman Herod had married illegally, decided to get rid of this wilderness preacher. Although she was able to have him killed, she was not able to stop his message. She was able to convince her husband, Herod kill him. John had accomplished his mission.

John’s words of truth that moved many to repentance forced others into resistance and resentment.

John even challenged Herod to admit his sin.

Herodias (Herod’s sister-in-law), the woman Herod had married illegally, decided to get rid of this wilderness preacher.

Although she was able to have him killed, she was not able to stop his message.

She was able to convince her husband, Herod kill him.

John had accomplished his mission.

What is Your Mission? God has given each of us a purpose for living, and we can trust him to guide us. Some will marry and be devoted to their children and their spouse. Some will enter the religious life and be totally devoted to God. John did not have the complete Bible as we know it, but he did focus his life on the Old Testament truth. Likewise, we can discover in God’s Words the truth he wants us to know. As these truths work in us, others will be drawn to God. Let God know your willingness to follow Him. Be that shining example of Christianity, the light in the darkness for all to see.

God has given each of us a purpose for living, and we can trust him to guide us.

Some will marry and be devoted to their children and their spouse.

Some will enter the religious life and be totally devoted to God.

John did not have the complete Bible as we know it, but he did focus his life on the Old Testament truth.

Likewise, we can discover in God’s Words the truth he wants us to know.

As these truths work in us, others will be drawn to God.

Let God know your willingness to follow Him.

Be that shining example of Christianity, the light in the darkness for all to see.

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