Recently, on the website, I posed the question, “What about Agabus?” Continuing in this vein, I think it fitting to also ask, “What about John the Baptist?”
Jesus calls him the greatest prophet, yet we see him sending his own disciples to ask if Jesus was the One to come—or if they should seek another. As you read this, it should elicit a slight gasp. Something else that needs explaining is why, if Jesus is the Messiah, John didn’t send all of his followers to Jesus.
John the Baptist’s Role and Influence
John the Baptist stands as one of the most significant figures in the New Testament, acting as a bridge between the Old Covenant and the New. Filled with the Holy Spirit before hew was even born, his dynamic, voice-in-the-wilderness, camel-skin-wearing approach, reflecting Elijah’s ministry, was unique in its character and calling, and perhaps set the stage for the emergence of the prophetic ministry that blossomed after Pentecost.
John’s considerable influence invites a close examination of the hallmarks of his ministry, his relationship with Jesus, and the theological implications of his role.
His ministry was marked by a profound sense of divine purpose and as a voice crying out in the wilderness; he was something of a solitary figure urgently calling Israel to repentance in preparation for the imminent coming of the Messiah. The central message was simple: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2, ESV). This call to repentance was not just a moral exhortation but a radical demand for a complete reorientation of life towards God, anticipating the transformative message of Jesus. John’s baptism, accompanying repentance, was a powerful symbol of this new beginning, pointing towards the even greater baptism that Jesus would bring, one not merely with water but with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11). He was heralding an entirely radical and audacious new way of life; no one was exempt—the greatest One in history was about to be revealed to Israel.
The Impact of John on Prophetic Ministry
The influence of John the Baptist on the prophetic ministry that emerged after Pentecost is profound. His ministry can be seen as a precursor to the prophetic witness of the early Church, calling for a radical lifestyle of faith, love, and obedience. John embodied the prophetic tradition of Israel, standing in the line of figures like Elijah, whose spirit and power he was said to possess (Luke 1:17). Yet John’s role was not just to echo the prophets of old but to announce the at-hand arrival of the One who would fulfil all prophecy. That imminent arrival was days away, reflected by his lion-hearted call to the nation of Israel to repentance—not just to Israel, but also to the Romans and anyone else within earshot of his booming call of reckoning.
At Pentecost, it became evident that his proclamation of the coming Messiah set the stage for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which empowered the apostles and early Christians to prophesy, speak in tongues, and perform miracles, continuing the work that John had begun in a new and expanded form.
John’s Question and Its Implications
One of the most intriguing aspects of John’s ministry is the question of why, despite his profound conviction about Jesus’ identity, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was indeed the One to come or if they should expect another (Luke 7:18-19). This question has puzzled theologians and believers alike. It could be argued that John’s question was not born of doubt but of a real desire to confirm that his understanding of the Messiah was correct, especially as he languished in prison, possibly wrestling with the contrast between his expectations of Jesus as Messiah and the unfolding reality of Jesus’ ministry. John wanted reassurance.
John’s expectations, like those of many in Israel, may have been shaped by the prophetic traditions that envisioned the Messiah as a triumphant figure who would bring about a dramatic, immediate transformation of Israel’s fortunes—pushing back Israel’s enemies. In stark contrast, Jesus’ ministry, marked by humility, compassion, and a focus on the marginalised, might not have fully aligned with the apocalyptic hopes that John and others harboured.
In sending his disciples to Jesus, John might well have been seeking confirmation that Jesus’ approach, though unexpected, was indeed the fulfilment of God’s plan. Alternatively, John’s question could have been a teaching tool, designed to direct his disciples to Jesus, allowing them to hear from Jesus Himself and, as a result, transition their loyalty from him to the Messiah. As a prophet, John knew that Jesus was the Messiah, and the accompanying signs (the dove and the voice) affirmed what had been revealed to him.
Lessons from John’s Ministry for Today
The lessons that can be drawn from John’s ministry for emergent prophetic ministries today are numerous. John’s humility is a profound model. Despite his popularity and the powerful nature of his ministry, John consistently pointed away from himself and towards Christ, declaring that he was not worthy even to untie the straps of Jesus’ sandals (John 1:27). This humility is crucial for contemporary prophetic ministries, which can sometimes be tempted by the allure of fame or influence. The true purpose of any prophetic ministry is not self-promotion but to bear witness to Christ and to prepare people’s hearts for His work.
John’s ministry was also characterised by a profound sense of urgency and a deep awareness of the nearness of God’s kingdom. This urgency did not translate into recklessness but into a powerful, clear, and uncompromising message. For modern prophetic ministries, there is a lesson here about the need for clarity and conviction in proclaiming God’s truth, even when it is countercultural or unpopular.
The Legacy of John the Baptist
John’s influence, ministry style, and calling were deeply rooted in his understanding of his role in God’s redemptive plan. He knew that he was “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness” (John 1:23), a forerunner preparing the way for the Lord. His simple lifestyle, his choice to minister in the wilderness, and his bold confrontation with the religious and political authorities of his day all underscored his role as a prophet in the mould of Elijah. Yet, unlike Elijah, who performed miracles and called down fire from heaven, John’s ministry was primarily one of proclamation. His calling was to be a herald, to announce the coming of the Messiah and to call people to repentance, thus preparing the way for the new covenant that Jesus would bring about.
Interestingly, John did not send all of his disciples to Jesus, which raises an intriguing point about the nature of his ministry. Bizarrely, some of his disciples remained with him even after they had encountered Jesus, as seen in the Gospel accounts – this might suggest that John understood his role as ongoing, even after Jesus’ ministry began?
John’s disciples might have continued to benefit from John’s guidance and teaching until they were fully ready to embrace Jesus’ ministry. Alternatively, it could indicate the difficulty that some of John’s followers had in transitioning from the old to the new, from the ministry of the forerunner to the ministry of the Messiah.
This transition from following a prophetic figure to embracing the fullness of the revelation in Christ is something of continued relevance for prophetic ministries today. It reminds us in ‘charismatic-land’ today that all prophetic activity should ultimately lead people to Christ, not to the prophet.
The assertion that John was the greatest of all the prophets, greater even than Isaiah, is rooted in Jesus’ own words: “I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John” (Luke 7:28). This can be understood in several ways. John’s greatness lies in his unique role as the forerunner of the Messiah. While the other prophets pointed forward to a future salvation, John had the unparalleled privilege of directly announcing the arrival of that salvation in the person of Jesus Christ. His ministry marked the challenging culmination of the prophetic tradition and the dawn of a fresh, daybreak new era in God’s redemptive history.
John’s greatness can also be seen in his unwavering commitment to his calling, even in the face of immense personal cost. His denunciation of Herod’s marriage to Herodias ultimately led to his imprisonment and execution, yet he did not waver in his mission. John’s fearless proclamation of God’s truth, regardless of the consequences, sets a standard for prophetic ministry that resonates throughout history.
It is important to note that Jesus immediately follows His commendation of John with a remarkable statement: “Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28). This indicates that while John was the greatest of the old covenant prophets, the new covenant, inaugurated by Jesus, ushers in an even greater reality. Those who belong to the kingdom of God, who have experienced the fullness of salvation through Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, are in a position that surpasses even that of John.
That is an amazing statement! This demonstrates the vast and transformative nature of the new covenant and the radical change that Pentecost brought about in the lives of believers—all as a free, undeserved, unmerited gift.
John’s influence is surely not limited to his own time but extends into the ongoing life of the Church and serves as a model for prophetic ministry today, demonstrating the importance of humility, clarity, and unwavering commitment to God’s truth. All prophetic ministry should point to Jesus, prepare people’s hearts to receive Him, and highlight the importance of understanding one’s role in God’s plan, recognising when to step back so that Christ may increase (John 3:30).
As the early Church looked back, John the Baptist’s impact on the early Christian community and the development of prophetic ministry after Pentecost was profound and encouraged the continued work of proclaiming the kingdom of God.
Ultimately, John’s greatness lies not in his own achievements but in his faithful fulfilment of the role God assigned him, preparing the way for the One who is the true light of the world.
