Who is John the Baptist and what
is the significance of his message for our lives? In dramatic fashion Luke
tells us when John came on the world scene. The world's rulers paled in
reference to this son of a priest whose task was to make the way for the King
who is above all other kings. John stood at a pivotal juncture in the history
of God's dealing with his people. He bridged the Old and New Testaments. John
was a prophet, a spokesman for God. "The word of God came to John in the
wilderness." John was pre-eminently the servant of the Word, the Word of
God who became flesh for our sake and for our salvation. Why was he in the
wilderness? John was called from an early age to devote himself to prayer and
to the word of God. God taught him in the solitude of the desert and prepared
him for a prophetic ministry to turn the hearts of his people to receive their
long-awaited Messiah. He is the last of the Old Testament prophets who point
the way to the coming of the Messiah. He is the first of the new Testament witnesses
and martyrs who suffered on account of
his witness to Christ.
When a king toured his kingdom,
he sent his courier ahead to prepare the way. John is the courier of the
Messianic King who comes to usher in the kingdom or reign of God. Isaiah had long
ago prophesied the role of the Forerunner of the Messiah. John undoubtedly took
this word to heart as he searched the scriptures and reflected on the word of
the Lord in the wilderness. How does one prepare for the coming of the King and
his heavenly kingdom? By conversion – turning our hearts and minds from sin and
rebellion, indifference and skepticism, to trust and obedience to God's word.
Luke's gospel emphasizes the universal call of the gospel to all peoples
without distinction. He quotes from the prophet Isaiah that "all flesh
shall see the salvation of God." John stood at the door of a new era of
grace and salvation. He saw from a distance what Jesus the Messiah would
accomplish through his death and resurrection – pardon for our sins and eternal
life for all who would believe in his name.
