John 1.2 Research Paper

John the Baptist burst on the scene when the people desperately needed a savior. John’s voice was a lone voice in the wilderness. “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness; make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said” (New Revised Standard Version, John 1.23). This passage illustrates God’s master plan in action as God selected John to be His special ambassador to proclaim His own coming.

Little is known about John’s life other than he was a Levite; and that he lived a rugged life in the mountainous area of Judea, between the city of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. It is written that he wore clothes made out of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His diet was a simple one, locusts and wild honey (Matthew

3.4).

John lived a simple life as he focused on the kingdom work set before him. The people only knew of the detailed set of laws that they were to carry out to achieve a distant hope of a better day; while their priest and teachers sat in synagogues, and temples wearing fancy clothes and boasting of their own righteousness. John however, was antitemple, antinationalism, and antiestablishment (Elwell and Yarbrough, 109). Many people come to John to hear his message, and come to believe that he was the Messiah. This assuredly was not his intent as he had a clear vision for what he was called to do. “You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of Him” (John 3.28). John brought many to claim their allegiance to Jesus through his ministry. He also is known for baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. Jesus come down to be baptized and John refused by saying “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3.14) Jesus insisted on John baptizing Him “Let it be so now; for it

is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3.15). John relented and baptized Jesus in the flowing Jordan River (109). John’s fearless leadership cost him his life when he rebuked Herod Antipas for illegally marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and his unclean lifestyle. John was arrested and thrown into a prison at Machaerus, and later beheaded, which stemmed from Herod’s oath to silence John.
John was called by God to carry out a specific mission, but the road was not an easy one to prepare. Daily he faced doubters of various influence and popularity who did not share his enthusiasm for the coming Messiah. Under hard questioning from the Pharisees, John shared his belief: “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me, I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal" (John 1.26-27). John believed in the Christ and his great faith prepared him for hardships, but it kept him steadfast on his course until the time when he could say as he saw Jesus approach, “Here is the lamb of God who takes away sin of the world!” (John 1:29). As believers, we can all have this steadfast faith. Also we can relate to John’s feeling of unworthiness in that we don’t deserve what he is offering through His blood. But look inwards and to the truth and as Christians can come to accept the gift that is God’s fatherly love.