Topical Bible: Obedience: John the Baptist

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John the Baptist stands as a profound example of obedience in the biblical narrative, serving as a forerunner to Jesus Christ and fulfilling the prophetic words spoken about him. His life and ministry are marked by unwavering commitment to God's call, demonstrating obedience through his actions, teachings, and ultimate sacrifice.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Divine Calling

John's birth and mission were foretold by the prophet Isaiah, who spoke of a voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord (Isaiah 40:3). This prophecy is echoed in the New Testament, where John is identified as the one who fulfills this role (Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23). His parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were righteous before God, and his birth was announced by the angel Gabriel, who declared that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb (Luke 1:15).

John's obedience to his divine calling is evident from the outset. He lived a life of asceticism in the wilderness, clothed in camel's hair and sustained by locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4). This lifestyle was not merely a personal choice but a reflection of his dedication to the mission God had entrusted to him.

Preaching and Baptism

John's primary message was one of repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. He boldly proclaimed, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 3:2). His call to repentance was accompanied by the act of baptism, symbolizing the cleansing of sin and the readiness to receive the coming Savior. John's baptism was a radical call to spiritual renewal, and many came to him from Jerusalem, Judea, and the surrounding region to be baptized in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:5-6).

John's obedience is further highlighted in his interactions with the religious leaders of his time. When the Pharisees and Sadducees came to him, he did not shy away from confronting their hypocrisy, calling them a "brood of vipers" and urging them to produce fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:7-8). His fearless proclamation of truth, regardless of the audience, underscores his commitment to God's message.

Recognition of Jesus and Humility

John's obedience is also characterized by his recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. When Jesus came to be baptized by him, John initially resisted, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" (Matthew 3:14). However, upon Jesus' insistence, John obediently baptized Him, witnessing the Spirit of God descending like a dove and hearing the voice from heaven affirming Jesus as God's beloved Son (Matthew 3:16-17).

John's humility is evident in his acknowledgment of Jesus' superiority. He declared, "He must increase; I must decrease" (John 3:30), demonstrating his understanding of his role in God's redemptive plan. John's willingness to step aside and point others to Christ exemplifies his obedience to God's purpose.

Imprisonment and Martyrdom

John's obedience ultimately led to his imprisonment and martyrdom. He fearlessly rebuked Herod Antipas for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife, which resulted in his arrest (Mark 6:17-18). Despite the personal cost, John remained steadfast in his commitment to truth and righteousness.

Herodias harbored a grudge against John and sought his death. Her opportunity came during Herod's birthday celebration, when Herodias' daughter pleased Herod with her dance, leading him to promise her anything she desired. At her mother's prompting, she requested John's head on a platter, and Herod, though distressed, complied with the request (Mark 6:21-28).

John the Baptist's life and ministry serve as a testament to the power of obedience to God's call. His unwavering dedication to his mission, his bold proclamation of truth, and his ultimate sacrifice highlight the profound impact of a life lived in obedience to God.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 3:15
And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Martyrdom of John
... of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a ... became of all his eager
listening, of his partial obedience, of his care to keep John safe from ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the martyrdom of john.htm

Christ Shows the Relation of his Contemporaries to the Baptist and ...
... Obedience, indeed ("the easy yoke"), he does require; but an obedience which (although ...
Old Testament, and also from the peculiar one of John the Baptist. ...
/.../section 136 christ shows the.htm

The Fourth Miracle in John's Gospel
... the news of the death of John the Baptist; and of ... wonder; and yet all of them with
a partial obedience? And says John in the true translation: 'So the men sat ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the fourth miracle in johns.htm

By Rev. FB Meyer, BA
... ABRAHAM: Or, The Obedience of Faith. ISRAEL: A Prince with God. ... JEREMIAH: Priest
and Prophet. JOHN THE BAPTIST. PAUL: A Servant of Jesus Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/by rev f b meyer.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 2, "Now when John Heard in ...
... Gospel has set before us a question touching John the Baptist. ... For John went before
Christ both in his birth and preaching; but it was in obedience that he ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xvi on the words.htm

"He must Increase"
... consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ ...
division, we should follow the example of Jesus and of John the Baptist. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 18 he must increase.htm

John at ??non.
... every earthly teacher, prophets, apostles, and John the Baptist. ... the "fulness of
the Godhead." (John 3:36). ... gives life, but "faith made perfect" by obedience. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/john at aenon.htm

The New Hampshire Baptist Confession. AD 1833.
... John Newton Brown, DD, of New Hampshire (b.1803, d ... Manual, published by the American
Baptist Publication Society ... divine law by his personal obedience, [2083] and ...
/.../the new hampshire baptist confession.htm

Greatness in the Kingdom
... stands far above prophet, righteous man, and John himself ... the twilight that shone
upon the Baptist, or the ... and self-regard, but by continual obedience to their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/greatness in the kingdom.htm

Footnotes
... that Josephus, in some things, was, even now, a follower of John the Baptist, which
is ... to dine at the sixth hour, or noon; and that in obedience to their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the life of flavius josephus/footnotes.htm