John the Baptist – The Forerunner Who Prepared Christ’s Way
He emerged from the wilderness wearing camel’s hair, eating locusts and wild honey, crying for repentance with a voice that shook Jerusalem. John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament prophets and the first of the New Testament witnesses—the hinge figure connecting promise and fulfillment. Jesus declared that among those born of women, none was greater than John. Yet John’s greatness lay not in himself but in his role: he was the forerunner, the voice, the one who prepared the way for Another.
The Promised Herald
John’s birth was announced by the angel Gabriel to Zacharias in the temple—the same angel who would announce Jesus’ birth to Mary. Elizabeth was barren and aged, but God would give them a son who would “be great in the sight of the Lord” and go before the Messiah “in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children… to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:15-17).
The prophecy echoed Malachi’s final words: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5). After four hundred years of prophetic silence, God would send another prophet—the Elijah figure who would prepare for Messiah’s coming. John was that Elijah.
Even before birth, John leaped in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary arrived carrying Jesus. The forerunner recognized his Lord while both were still unborn. Elizabeth exclaimed, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42-43). The response to Christ began in utero.
John grew and “was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel” (Luke 1:80). The wilderness shaped him—austere, uncompromising, removed from corrupting influences. When he emerged, his appearance and message matched. This was no soft reed shaken by the wind but a prophet of iron conviction.
The Baptizer
John’s ministry centered on baptism and preaching. He called Israel to repentance, warning of coming judgment. “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Those who responded confessed their sins and were baptized in the Jordan—a ritual washing symbolizing moral cleansing and readiness for Messiah’s arrival.
His preaching was fearless. When Pharisees and Sadducees came for baptism, John challenged them: “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:7-8). Religious status was worthless without genuine repentance. Even being Abraham’s descendants provided no automatic salvation.
John refused messianic identifications. He was not the Christ, not Elijah (in the sense of reincarnation), not “that prophet.” He was merely “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord” (John 1:23). He pointed away from himself consistently. His baptism was with water; the Coming One would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
The climax came when Jesus approached for baptism. John recognized Him: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). John tried to refuse—he needed baptism from Jesus, not the reverse. But Jesus insisted to “fulfil all righteousness.” As Jesus rose from the water, the Spirit descended like a dove and the Father’s voice declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
He Must Increase
After Jesus began His ministry, John’s disciples expressed concern. Everyone was going to Jesus now. John’s response epitomized his entire mission: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). The bridegroom had arrived; the friend of the bridegroom rejoiced in His voice. John’s joy was complete precisely because Jesus was succeeding.
This self-effacing attitude marked genuine forerunner ministry. John existed to point to Another. His success was measured not by his own following but by Jesus’ following. When crowds left John for Jesus, John’s purpose was being fulfilled. Decrease was victory, not defeat.
Jesus honored John’s ministry: “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). No prophet exceeded him—not Moses, not Elijah, not Isaiah. John saw what they longed to see; he pointed to the Lamb they anticipated. Yet Jesus added, “notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Position in God’s kingdom, now that it has come, exceeds even John’s privileged role.
John’s end came through Herod’s weakness and Herodias’s malice. John had condemned Herod’s marriage to his brother’s wife—a faithfulness that cost him his freedom and eventually his life. Herodias’s daughter danced; Herod foolishly promised; Herodias demanded the Baptist’s head. The greatest of the prophets died because of a birthday party’s entertainment.
The Friend of the Bridegroom
John described himself as the bridegroom’s friend—the one who arranges the wedding, brings the couple together, and rejoices when the marriage is consummated. “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice” (John 3:29). John’s joy came from hearing Jesus speak.
This image illuminates John’s entire ministry. He was preparing a bride for the bridegroom—calling Israel to repentance so she would be ready when Messiah came. His baptism was preparation; Jesus’ baptism would be consummation. His water cleansing anticipated the Spirit’s fire. He introduced Israel to her King.
Jesus identified John with Elijah: “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come” (Matthew 11:14). Malachi’s prophecy was fulfilled. The forerunner had arrived and completed his work. The way was prepared. The Lord had come to His temple. John stepped aside so Jesus could step forward.
Following the Forerunner’s Example
John models several crucial aspects of Christian witness. He pointed to Christ, not to himself. He rejoiced in Christ’s success, not his own prominence. He spoke truth regardless of cost. He prepared others to follow Jesus while knowing they would leave him to do so.
Every Christian is called to be a forerunner in some sense—preparing hearts, pointing to Christ, decreasing so He increases. We are voices crying in wilderness cultures: repent, for the King has come. We baptize new believers into Christ, then step aside so they can follow Him. Our measure of success is not how many follow us but how many follow Jesus.
John’s question from prison—”Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3)—shows that even the greatest forerunner struggled with doubt. Jesus answered not with rebuke but with evidence: the blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised, the poor hear good news. Evidence confirms faith; Jesus meets doubters where they are.
The forerunner’s work continues through everyone who points others to Christ. His voice still echoes: Prepare the way of the Lord. Make His paths straight. Behold the Lamb of God. He must increase; I must decrease. This is the forerunner’s vocation—yours as well as John’s. Point to Christ. Prepare hearts. And rejoice when they go to Him rather than remaining with you.