The NIV 365 Day Devotional
John The Baptist: The Prophet Who Was to Prepare the Way for Jesus
John was the son of Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, who was a priest. When the angel Gabriel announced Elizabeth would have a child, he said the baby would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he was born. Furthermore, he would bring the people back to God, have the spirit of Elijah the prophet and prepare the way for the Lord (Lk 1:15–17).
John became a fiery preacher. He lived in the wilderness, eating honey and locusts. His words of judgment were especially aimed at those who believed that they were God’s chosen and thus didn’t have to be righteous. He called them a “brood of vipers” and said they must change their ways (Lk 3:7–8). John attracted great crowds to the Jordan River where he taught and baptized. He instructed listeners to follow God and repent from their sin.
John said he came to prepare the way for One greater than himself who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Lk 3:16). John was pointing to Jesus, and he had the honor of baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. After this, John encouraged his disciples to follow Jesus instead of himself (Jn 1:35–37).
John was arrested by Herod Antipas after John had condemned Herod for marrying Herodias, the former wife of Philip, Herod’s own brother. Though Herod took an interest in John, Herodias plotted John’s death. Herod eventually had John beheaded (Mk 6:17–28).
APPLICATION John’s prophetic task was to prepare the way for Jesus. Crowds of people, from the most pious to the most sinful, came to hear John speak. Rather than enjoying the fame and trying to amass crowds and honor for himself, John always pointed away from himself and toward Christ. John is an example for how each believer should live and a model and guide for Christian leadership. Our lives should be focused on bringing others to Christ. John spoke God’s message shamelessly, even to the point of his own death. May we also be unashamed of the gospel (Ro 1:16).
Taken from the NIV Application Bible.