John The Baptist - God's Messenger

Matthew 11:10-14

John the Baptist was but a man, fallen, depraved and sinful, like the rest of us. But he was God's man, with God's message to the generation in which he lived. Here are four things about this Baptist preacher which char- acterize every man who is truly one of God's messengers.

1. JOHN THE BAPTIST SAW CHRIST FOR HIMSELF. There was a time when he did not know Christ. But in due time the Spirit of God revealed the Lord of glory to him as the Lamb of God (John 1:29-33). Every true messenger of God is like John in this regard. He is looking for Christ's appearing. And he preaches Christ as a living Person whom he has seen, felt, and known for himself, one whom he has learned to trust (Read I John 1:1-3).

God's messengers do not debate with men about facts, theories, and doctrines. They proclaim a Person (I Cor. 2:2). We insist upon all the truths concerning our dear Savior. We do not back up one inch upon any article of divine truth. But we are sent of God to proclaim Christ himself. "We preach Christ crucified!" Christ, the everlasting Surety, the successful Redeemer, the sovereign Lord, the coming Savior, is our message.

2. JOHN CALLED UPON ALL WHO HEARD HIM TO LOOK TO CHRIST AND LIVE FOREVER. He cried, "Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:29). He preached his message plainly and boldly, constantly and universally. It mattered not whether his audience was saved people or lost, pharisees or publicans, learned scribes or illiterate beggars, his message was "Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:29, 35-36).

3. JOHN PERSUADED HIS DISCIPLES TO BECOME FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST (John 1:37). "He had enough force to induce men to be his followers. He had enough humility to induce his followers to leave him for the Lord Jesus. He had enough grace to make him rejoice that it was so"(C.H. Spurgeon). This is the goal of every genuine gospel preacher. God's messengers do not want men and women to follow them, lean on them, trust them, and look to them, but Christ. We are but voices. Christ is the Savior (John 1:21-27). "We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Christ's sake" (II Cor. 4:5).

4. AND JOHN LOST HIMSELF IN CHRIST (John 3:30). He was only the Bridegroom's friend, not the Bridegroom. It was his job to turn everyone's eyes to the Bridegroom. God's messengers, like John abase themselves and exalt Christ at all costs.

Don Fortner