"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he"(Mt 11:11)

Few people in history have been more misunderstood in message and purpose than John the Baptist. From the rejection of his contemporaries to the confusion surrounding him today, it seems that a true understanding of this strange, desert-dwelling prophet is elusive. However, by looking at God's word diligently, we can discover the true meaning of John the Baptist and correct the misconceptions that many have about him today. More importantly, we can learn lessons from his life that help us today.

First we will discuss some misconceptions surrounding John. One misconception is that John was a Baptist in the modern sense, meaning a member of the Baptist denomination. It must be pointed out that this is incorrect because, for one, that denomination had not been and would not be formed for several centuries. John was called a Baptist because he came baptizing (John 3:23), not because he taught or upheld the Baptist denomination's doctrine.

Many also misunderstand the nature of John's baptism. John's baptism is not the same as the baptism later commanded by Christ (Mark 16:16). Although John "came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins"(Mark 1:4), it was not the same as baptism "in the name of Jesus Christ"(Acts 2:38) which Peter would command later. For example, Paul found some people who had been baptized into John's baptism and told them they had to be baptized again in the name of Jesus (Acts 19:1-6). One cannot be saved today by John's baptism, but only by baptism in the name of Jesus.

So what, then, was John's purpose? In giving an account of John and his teaching, each gospel writer quotes this prophecy of Isaiah: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Make straight the way of the Lord"(John 1:23, Mt 3:3, Mk 1:3, Lk 3:4). John's purpose was to be a forerunner to Jesus and prepare the people for His coming. He taught the people to "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"(Mt 3:2) and spoke of "He who, coming after me, is preferred before me"(John 1:27). John's coming prepared the people for the Lord by getting them to repent and introducing baptism. Notice especially that all John's teaching pointed forward to the coming Messiah. John's desire was not fame or a following, but was instead to get the people ready for the One coming after him. It is not surprising, then, that when Jesus came to John, he testified that He was the Son of God (John 1:34). Because of John's testimony, the people were prepared and many of his disciples became disciples of Jesus-including Andrew, who brought his brother Peter (John 1:36-42). When Jesus came, John's time and ministry ended, and we today are to look to Jesus rather than John because Jesus is the "One greater" he spoke of.

What about John's legacy? John the Baptist left behind a legacy of humility. He understood his role and never deviated from it. Although "all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem"(Mk 1:5) went out to hear him, he always maintained that his mission was to speak of one coming after him. This is best shown in John's statement "He must increase, but I must decrease"(John 3:30). John knew that when Jesus came, his time ended, and he faded into the background of the Bible with the humility and grace we must admire. When our role is less than someone else's, when our time has passed, and when others are glorified, will we have John's humility?

Further, John shows us boldness. He called the Pharisees a "brood of vipers"(Mt 3:7) to their face, then told King Herod "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife"(Mk 6:18) and lost his head for it. Even in death, John showed incredible courage to stand up for what was right and true and proclaim God's word with boldness. Can we see John's example and hide the truth from our friends? Can we be too frightened to do what's right, in the face of a man who died for what's right?

John the Baptist is often misunderstood, yet his example is valuable for us today. Let us remember his purpose and be encouraged by his humility and boldness. ___Jacob Hudgins