Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:1-17, Matthew 11:1-15, Matthew 14:1-12
In the Judaic tradition, few loom larger as key cultural figures than prophets. Ezekiel, Daniel, Elijah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah are metaphorical giants of the ancient tradition, acting as the voice of God to His people in difficult times. But at the closing of the Old Testament, their great tradition seemed to end. Centuries passed, kingdoms rose and fell, and God’s people found themselves surviving under Caesar’s power. But God was preparing a voice to speak once more.
Rumors circulated about a strange man in the wilderness. Some said he wore camel-hair and ate bugs, recalling to them old stories about Elijah. Some said he had a miraculous birth, the first child of a barren, old woman. He was ascetic and eccentric, unafraid to preach repentance and shout down wealthy religious leaders, yet he’d baptize anyone willing to confess their sins. Soon everyone was talking about this “voice of one crying out in the wilderness” (Matthew 3:3).
This was John, and they called him the Baptizer. He was strange but compelling, bold but humble. Yet even though his preaching and personality drew crowds, he had no interest in building fame for himself. “The one who is coming after me is more powerful than I,” he insisted. “I am not worthy to remove his sandals.” (Matthew 3:11)
Through so much of Scripture, we see God working through ordinary people, using them to call His people back to Himself. When God’s people were at their lowest under the Roman Empire, John proclaimed the long-awaited Messiah was coming—and soon! John was God’s voice in the wilderness to once again remind them that a sacred lineage, accumulated wealth, and favor with an empire wouldn’t actually save anyone. In God’s economy, the poor and overlooked would be raised up.
To those who had the heart to hear, John was preparing them for a Messiah who would not look anything like what they expected.
We don’t know exactly what sparked John’s calling to give his life proclaiming the Messiah’s arrival. But John, larger-than-life and unafraid to speak truth to power, was human too. While in prison for offending Herod’s wife, he sent a message to Jesus and asked: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3). Under this question was a more vulnerable one: “Was it all a waste?”
Like God appearing to Elijah at his lowest, Jesus met John’s wavering with assurance: “Go and report to John what you hear and see.” Healing for broken bodies, the dead raised, good news to the poor — all the wonders John himself had proclaimed. “And blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me” (Matthew 11:4–6).
John is remembered, in Jesus’s words, as “more than a prophet.” (Matthew 11:9,14) His presence helped break up long-fallow ground and prepare a nation’s heart for Jesus’s message and miracles, to make way for the coming of a humble Messiah and King.
Written by Jen Yokel
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74 thoughts on "John the Baptist"
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AUTHENTICITY. That’s what I see in John’s story. He knew who he was and was clear on his purpose. And he stuck to it. He didn’t let society’s expectations and priorities distract him from speaking the Truth and preparing the way for Christ. And when he was at his lowest point in prison, he had a big earth-shattering question. So he asked it (“Is it really you?”). He inspires me to live as my authentic self (how God designed me to be), speak the Truth and point the way to Jesus by living out my purpose. And he also shows me that it’s okay to have questions. I can direct them to Jesus and he will answer me in His time.
Beautifully said. ❤️
It is late in the day. I am back to working the night shift in the ICU and I’m off tonight so a little bit behind and trying to catch up. I love reading all of your comments. I have prayed for your needs presented in the last couple of days. I pray that we will continue to feel the Lord‘s presence and His will in our lives. I pray that we realize we too are messengers of the Good News.
Have a wonderful weekend, dear sisters.
Have a blessed night of rest and thank you for your dedication to helping others! I appreciate our medical teams very much! ❤
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I love how John spent his life focused on the things of God. He didn’t allow the things of this world to distract him. I pray that I would be more like that.
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Ah Lord,I know we are called as John the Baptist, to prepare Your Way, because You are coming back soon! We believe and are expecting and are making ready so heaven can be populated!
Oops! Pressed post before I was actually finished!
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@Laura – continuing to praise God with you for the progress your daughter has made – continued prayers for her to have a relationship with Jesus.
@Rhonda – YES!! To the idea of a conference where we can all meet!
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Please ladies continue to keep Aleida in your prayers, she is going through some very difficult days with her son Victor.
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Happy Friday Sweet She’s have a great weekend! ❤️❤️
“To those who had the heart to hear..”
Praying today for lost loved ones – that they would have the heart to hear, repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
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@Jennifer Anapol – I too struggle when it comes to thinking about heaven because it is to great to comprehend, especially when we have nothing to compare it with. Randy Alcorn has a great book that I read when my mom passed away simply titled, “Heaven”. I highly recommend it.
@Donna Wolcott – praise God your son is home from the hospital, and that he could entertain the staff with his wheelchair antics – Praise God!
Continued prayers for his long recovery.
Unafraid to speak the truth. That was John. I ask myself, “am I unafraid to speak the truth?” I need to put my feelings aside or “what will people think” and ask JESUS to give me courage to speak the truth in love which is not easy. I’m admitting this. My workplace needed someone to come fill in. No one volunteered so I’m off to work today for just a few hours. And again on Monday, BUT just for a few hours. Happy Friday sweet She’s!
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Behind again, but now caught up… Grace Day Schmace Day! (Actually… today was my “Grace Day”, I guess…. Thanks for that, SRT!) I am not in a “retirement routine” yet. I need to figure that out!!
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Be blessed today, sweet She’s!
The thing I feel sticks with me the most from today is John’s feeling of unworthiness when Jesus asked him to baptize him. I feel often unworthy of the things put in my life by God or the things I feel led/compelled to do.
Ever wonder at Jesus’ response to John’s question? It is deeply rooted in scripture. Isaiah describes the Messiah as one who will heal the blind, make the lame walk, raise the dead, and release the captive. Jesus’ response includes everything except releasing the captive. So is John asking “am I going to get out of prison?” Jesus told him No by the omission. Perhaps this is why he said “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
Wow! I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks for pointing it out.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, what a great observation!! Scripture is so amazing, especially when we dig deep. ❤️
wow!
One question I was having was vs 6. Versions say “who isn’t offended by me.” “Who doesn’t fall away because of me.” I was very curious. This explanation does help. Thank you!
Exactly Cheryl, my thoughts exactly. We need more like him.
I didn’t get to comment yesterday but I went back and read them today.
I’m praying for all!
John would have been that guy who comes into church who is “different” than the rest of us. Dressed differently but with a zeal for the Lord that puts the rest of us to shame. Some people will shun him as weird but maybe some will look past what is different to see someone who loves the Lord.
This is just something God pricked my heart about.
There is a Casting Crowns song that comes to mind about someone coming into church that seems “rough”. I’ll have to look into that. Don’t judge a book by its cover, right?!?!
“If We Are the Body!”
Now that’s running through my head! Thank you for saving me from some legwork , Rhonda J.!
I read this in commentaries and it’s something I wasn’t aware of just plain didn’t remember :
The Jews would baptize Gentile converts, but John was baptizing Jews! His baptism was authorized from heaven (21:23–27); it was not something John devised or borrowed. This was a baptism of repentance, looking forward to the Messiah’s coming (Acts 19:1–7). His baptism fulfilled two purposes: It prepared the nation for Christ, and it presented Christ to the nation (John 1:31). Wiersbe
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MacArthur said it this way:
The symbolism of John’s baptism likely had its roots in OT purification rituals (cf. Lev. 15:13). Baptism had also long been administered to Gentile proselytes coming into Judaism. The baptism of John thus powerfully and dramatically symbolized repentance. Jews accepting John’s baptism were admitting they had been as Gentiles and needed to become the people of God genuinely, inwardly (an amazing admission, given their hatred of Gentiles). The people were repenting in anticipation of the Messiah’s arrival. The meaning of John’s baptism differs somewhat from Christian baptism (cf. Acts 18:25). Actually, Christian baptism altered the significance of the ritual, symbolizing the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6:3–5; Col. 2:12).
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Last day of VBS- what a great week we have had. Satan has thrown some punches, but we have overcome in Jesus’ Name!
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Love, hugs, and prayers precious SHE sisters! ❤
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Now if a person wants to become Jewish now they have do a ceremonial cleansing called a mikvah.
It is total immersion in water. According to Jewish ceremonial law, the water has to be mayim hayim living water (water from a natural source).
You immerse completely nudes, no jewelry or nail polish is allowed. You must immerse three times. This symbolizes the birth or rebirth.
You can do a mikvak for other reasons,before marriage, if you recover from cancer,and other reasons.
Orthodox women after menstrual cycles will visit a mikvah.
A high priest when he begins his service will mikvah.
Tanya, I love when you share this information. Thank you.
Woe, Tanya, thanks so much for the info of modern day practice. ❤
Thank you for sharing Cee Gee. Great insight. ❤️
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SALLY B beat me to most of what I put in my notes today ❤️
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On John asking “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” – it doesn’t come across to me as doubt, but more of a question of clarification or doublechecking. CINDY HANNA mentioned yesterday the common belief that an earthly kingdom would be established when all along it was a spiritual kingdom coming.
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MARGARET W – joining you in praise for the forgiven medical bills, praying for your friend and her protection in her home.
MERCY quiet obedience ❤️
DONNA WOLCOTT – thank you for the update, praying for your son’s continued healing
TANYA – love the Paris story ❤️
LAURA – thank you for your testimony, praying for your daughter
CEE GEE ❤️
TINA ❤️
RHONDA J ❤️
Hmmm. I replied to your comment this morning. Just scanning back through and it isn’t here!
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I asked about your family member. ❤
Some traditions call John “the Forerunner” instead of “the Baptizer” I like “forerunner” as it brings more emphasis on his role in the story of redemption.
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Thankful he was obedient to his call, even when his “popularity” started to be overshadowed by Jesus’ (John 3:22-30).
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CEE GEE – Good song❣️
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WENDY B – praying kidney stone is resolved quickly
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SEARCHING – praying your friend’s son recovers quickly and the Lord give you wisdom.
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A WALTON – praying your time with the girls will be impactful for you and them. Sorry to hear things continue to drag on with your building project. Is construction booming that much in Ireland, or is it a shortage of skilled people? Regardless continuing to pray.
I agree, Kelly! Sharing more when I comment.
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I know you love that song! ❤
Thank you so much. I’m managing ok. Thankfully not in terrible pain, but uncomfortable. Best case scenario is it disolves and passes on its oown. Appreciate your prayers❤️
Thanks for praying.
There is a housing shortage and then not enough people to do the work for the demand. Lots of people extending as well. Not all new builds, but plenty of those too.
This was the 1st thing after the intertestament period,which is find interesting. All those years of silence. And then a lone voice crying in the wilderness..
What faith in John! Father reward my faith, forgive my doubt. In Jesus name, Amen
❤️ What a great reminder that God doesn’t scold us or berate us when we doubt but lovingly shows and reminds us of his faithfulness in both the past and the present . The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised. What a good God we serve.
I love the mention of John’s human-ness. In the middle of hard times we are all prone to doubt! But Jesus didn’t shame John for his doubt. Praise God!
Thank you Jen Yokel for highlighting thaJohn was human too! I had never seen that befor, his doubt, leading to Jesus’s “unwavering assurance”. I can sometimes ask myself the same question when my expectations don’t meet my reality, “is this all a waste?” But then I choose to remember the evidence in my life, the times God has shown up in ways that can only be described as supernatural. I cling to those times when in difficult seasons.
Amen!
“… and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.”
What a strange statement for Jesus to tack on the end of his reply to John. This is in response to John’s question:” Are you the one who is to come,or should we expect someone else?”
Offense comes when people don’t meet our expectations. ” You didn’t meet my expectation” I think this is what happened to Judas, who later betrayed Jesus.
I can’t help but think of the opening lyrics of the Casting Crowns song, ” I thought sure by now that you would have reached down and saved the day. Once again, I say amen. It’s still raining.”
I was hoping for a jail break. This was kin, if I am not mistaken! However , there could not be a distraction or two camps and divided loyalties.
Jesus knowing the final outcome eulogized John even before his execution, calling him,” more than a prophet.”
Prayer request: Shes, I met a guy! He is a devout Catholic. I met him at a bakery/coffee shop. I want you all to pray for me. That the Holy Spirit guides me and leads me in this. I have had a long drought and barren dating life. I had actually given up. The day I met him we talked for 4 hours. The next week we met, we talked for 4 hours at the coffee shop.
Very exciting, Tanya! Praying for you!
Thank you!
I well-remember the feelings of meeting a guy after long periods of, as you say, relational drought. It’s hard not to immediately go to “is this the one?!” Will pray for a clear and discerning mind and wisdom beyond understanding. That you will know the questions to ask to know if this man can be the spiritual leader God calls him to be. That God makes His plan clear soon. And that you will have the courage to walk away if this is not the man God has for you. Trust Him with this no matter what—I promise He is worthy of it! ❤️
Amen and thank you!
I will be praying for discernment as you get to know this guy better. Echoing Rachel’s prayer. For wisdom and discernment. May God pour out His favor on you as you seek Him first.
Thank you, I appreciate She prayers
Praying, Tanya! For wisdom, guidance, discernment and anything else needed. ❤️
Praying for discernment in your relationship with this guy. Surrender it to God and listen to the Holy Spirit.
I also echo Rachel and Jane K.’s prayers, Tanya. ❤️
I am happy for you Tanya! I will be praying for you as this progresses. The most important thing in any relationship is that both know Jesus personally as their Lord and Savior. Praying that he does indeed know Christ personally and that God will navigate this relationship as it goes forward. ❤️
Thank you Sally – I agree! ❤️
❤️ praying… now is definitely the time for discernment… thankful you are seeking God’s will… He won’t let you down!! Lifting you to Jesus!! (Rejoicing with you… remember to have fun)!l
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Hello!
I would appreciate prayers:
I am going to be taking a couple of girls from our youth group to a Christian youth camp this year (CIY). I don’t usually work with the youth group, so I don’t really know these girls well, and I am an introvert! Please pray I will be able to connect with them and that we can have great conversations about God. Plus, I am finding it so sad to be separated from my twin 2.5 year olds. This will be the first time. I know they will be fine, but I am just so sad. It will be for 4 nights.
Also, on our house: the builder is having a hard time finding an engineer to oversee the project. It will be at a standstill until we find an engineer. I am beginning to have fears that this will not progress this year and they will have to wait until next year. We are asking a fourth engineer to oversee it. Three have already turned it town because they are too busy. Please pray. Thank you.
Praying for all your requests A WALTON
Oh I remember not liking being away from my kids when they were little. I am praying God exceeds your expectations and creates a great bond between you and the girls!
With G-d all things are possible. Father G-d, you know and have the solution to the desires of my sister’s heart. Please give her a supernatural peace about being away from her littles. As she sows in the life of these girls ,create bonds and friendships. This trip may bless the lives of these girls for generations. Seeds are being sowed and watered.
Lastly ,Lord,her house.Send her the right person for the job. Divine appointments and right connections in Jesus’s name.
Joining my sisters in prayer for your needs and requests ❤️
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Praying for you and your family while you are away! For life change for the girls you are taking. Also prayers for the right engineer for your new home!
I will be praying for you as you take these young girls to camp. What an opportunity to have their attention for four days and nights! Even though it will be hard to be away from your twins, the blessings once you’re there and interacting with these girls will out weigh the sadness…and continued prayers for your housing, I have been praying and hoping that this would be the summer that its built. It can be so hard in the waiting.
I think we do know at least in part what sparked John’s calling to give his life proclaiming the Messiah’s arrival, Ladies. From day 2’s reading, Luke 15:b God’s word states – “He (John) will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.” God most definitely had His hand on John’s life as he was being knit together in Elizabeth’s womb. And even when John was confused by the circumstances, he was clear about the message.
May it be so of us today and every day until Jesus returns! Blessings on your Friday.
Agreed!
Yes! Well said :)
Yes! And Zechariah’s words over him:
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to…” (Luke 1:76-77)
John was made for such a time as this!
Yes to above Scriptures, and also Jesus’ words in Luke 11:9-10
9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written:
‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’
I had that same thought as I read the devo statement and was going to comment on it. Thanks for doing that! ❤ ❤