A Voice Crying Out from the Wilderness

This post is the first in a series of posts that will examine the life and ministry of John the Baptist. So who was John, what is his origin? This post will focus on John’s birth and uniqueness as God’s prophet. Scripture passages from Berean Standard Bible. Images generated using Nightcafe Studio and Canva Pro.

All three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) mention Isaiah 40:3 in reference to John’s ministry: so what is the importance of Isaiah 40? Verse by verse explanation:

Isaiah Chapter 40

God promises His people (Kingdom of Judah) that after a period of judgment (Babylonian invasion/captivity), that He will comfort them and reveal His glory to them. Gospel authors indicate that John the Baptist is the fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3. 

https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Isaiah.html

This article provides a great overview of the entire book of Isaiah–helpful to consider the entire message of Isaiah when considering prophecy.

John the Baptizer walks toward the crowd gathered to hear his message.

Who is the Voice that Cries Out?

Why was John preaching in the wilderness across the Jordan River (east of Bethany according to Gospel of John)? Why wasn’t he preaching in the local synagogues wherein most Hebrews learned scripture/God’s ways or at the Temple where the faithful came to worship and honor God with sacrifices?

Answer: John was being faithful to God’s call on his life. John is fulfilling prophecy–and preparing hearts for Jesus. Luke explains John’s call and ministry: Luke 1:11-17 emphasis mine

11Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.

13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.

16Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

The angel Gabriel brings good news to priest Zechariah! For many years Zechariah has been praying for a son! God has heard his prayers and answers this prayer in a mighty way! 

Imagine preparing incense in God’s Holy Temple and a mighty messenger greeting you with good news!

This message explains the following details about John the Baptist:

1. His name and birth to an aging Zechariah and Elizabeth.

John is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, derived from “Yohannan,” meaning “God is gracious.”

(https://www.thebump.com/b/john-baby-name)

2. He will be great in the sight of the Lord. God has special purpose and plan for John’s life. He is to avoid fermented drinks as part of his calling. Consider the parallels with Samuel in 1 Samuel Chapters 1-2. John’s birth like Samuel’s is a miracle. Like Samuel, John has a special call on his life that precedes his birth. Barnes’ Notes on the Bible explains:

Shall be filled with the Holy Ghost … – Shall be divinely designated or appointed to this office, and qualified for it by all needful communications of the Holy Spirit. To be “filled” with the Holy Spirit is to be illuminated, sanctified, and guided by his influence. In this place it refers:

1. To the divine intention that he should be set apart to this work, as God designed that Paul should be an apostle from his mother’s womb, Galatians 1:15.

2. It refers to an actual fitting for the work from the birth by the influence of the Holy Spirit, as was the case with Jeremiah Jer 1:5, and with the Messiah himself, Psalm 22:9-10.

Barnes’ notes https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/luke/1.htm accessed 1/8/2024

https://www.gotquestions.org/voice-of-one-calling-in-the-wilderness.html

3. John will be filled with Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. This is unique to John. We see that John moves within Elizabeth in the presence of Mary, Jesus’ mother. Holy Spirit is key to John’s ministry and message.

4. Just as God works through Elijah (1 Kings 18) to turn the people away from the baals to God’s Worship, so John will lead people to repent from their sinful ways.

Moses instructs the people as God prepares them to meet Him Mt. Horeb.

Being Faithful to God’s call

Future posts will explore John’s message of repentance and his baptism of Jesus. The people of the 1st century were looking for a coming messiah. It was a common belief that a prophet “Elijah” would precede the messiah to prepare the people. The people as well as religious leaders (Pharisees, teachers, etc.) viewed the wilderness as a place of communion/fellowship with God. Micah Cobb explains the view in his blog post:

How Did the First-Century Jews View the Wilderness? A Hostile Place? Or a Place of Hope?

Consider that God was present and revealing Himself through the Jewish wilderness journey out of Egypt to the Promised Land. Knowing Isaiah 40, many of this era would have expected God’s prophet to be in the wilderness.

God sends His people into the place(s) wherein He would have them serve. Are you content in God’s placement? Sometimes we desire to be in a “better” or “more noticeable” placement. Yet, God’s timing and direction are perfect. Consider the timing of John’s birth and later ministry! May we be found to be faithful in the wilderness where God places us!

Here is a modern example of a man who proclaims God’s message through his life and sports: Alwyn Uys. Check out his YouTube testimony:

https://alwynuys.com/pages/about-1

How can God proclaim His message through your life and experiences? The role of a prophet of God is to lead people in truth to “walk” with God that begins with repentance and dependence on His grace.

The Jordan River (Canva Pro Photo)