Man of the Bible · Life of Jesus
John the Baptist
The forerunner who prepared the way for Jesus
John was born to the priest Zechariah and Elizabeth in their old age. He lived in the wilderness, called people to repent, and baptized them, including Jesus. He pointed his own followers to Jesus as the Lamb of God, and he was later imprisoned and executed by Herod.
Key verse: John 3:30
Strengths
- Bold call to repentance
- Humble about his role
- Pointed others to Jesus
Struggles
- Wrestled with doubt in prison
What John the Baptist teaches you
Faith. Let Jesus increase in your life while you decrease, and bring your doubts straight to Him when circumstances confuse you.
Family. Prepare the way for the next generation to know Jesus, even if your part is to point rather than to finish.
Business and calling. Know your role and do it with conviction, without needing the spotlight or competing with what God is doing through others.