What is a prophet? Merriam-Webster defines prophet as 1) One regarded by a group of followers as the final authoritative revealer of God’s will 2) One gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight 3) One who foretells future events 4) An effective spokesman for a cause, doctrine, or group. A biblical prophet speaks divine truth into the human condition, most notably challenging the moral and spiritual failures and confronting injustice, but also offering hope to the downtrodden, often confronting and comforting in the same message.
John the forerunner of Jesus stands in the tradition of biblical prophets. “A voice of one crying in the wilderness” - While we may think of this phrase as a reference to John’s chosen location of ministry, this cry is not about a man standing out on a hot dry sand dune. John brings a message to people that are “in the wilderness,” and who need “a path to God.” Using the principle that a reference to an Old Testament passage implies the larger message of the original text, Isaiah issued his cry in the wilderness to those in the desert, the valley, on the rough ground and the rugged terrain, to the weary and tired and those who stumble (Isaiah 40). See Blog Post “Rough Ground Rugged Terrain” http://tommyyork.blogspot.com/2012/02/isaiah-40-rough-ground-rugged-terrain.html
John was providentially positioned to introduce the faithful seekers to the coming Lamb of God. He literally handed his own disciples off to Jesus as Jesus began his ministry. He had the honor of baptizing Jesus. Of John, Jesus said “among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” Jesus said that John was “a prophet and more than a prophet,” that he is the expected return of the great prophet Elijah, something that we would have thought to apply to Jesus himself. (Matthew 11)
If you survey John the Baptizer’s message across the gospels, you will find that he issued the fundamental prophetic call to repentance, to seek a change in heart and life. He harshly challenged his listeners to demonstrate fruit in keeping with this repentance, and that a lack of fruit (and thus lack of repentance) placed one in danger of wrath. Just like the earlier prophets, he provided examples of justice and injustice, imploring the wealthy, government officials, and soldiers to engage in concrete deeds toward others – give away your coat; do not conduct dishonest transactions; do not abuse your authority - as expressions of a changed heart and life. (Luke 3).
Just like the Old Testament prophets, John was passionate and eccentric, willing to sacrifice his own lifestyle to dramatize his message, a complex character who deserves our attention. His cryptic and challenging message requires our attention as well .. “Make straight the way of the Lord.”
John the forerunner of Jesus stands in the tradition of biblical prophets. “A voice of one crying in the wilderness” - While we may think of this phrase as a reference to John’s chosen location of ministry, this cry is not about a man standing out on a hot dry sand dune. John brings a message to people that are “in the wilderness,” and who need “a path to God.” Using the principle that a reference to an Old Testament passage implies the larger message of the original text, Isaiah issued his cry in the wilderness to those in the desert, the valley, on the rough ground and the rugged terrain, to the weary and tired and those who stumble (Isaiah 40). See Blog Post “Rough Ground Rugged Terrain” http://tommyyork.blogspot.com/2012/02/isaiah-40-rough-ground-rugged-terrain.html
John was providentially positioned to introduce the faithful seekers to the coming Lamb of God. He literally handed his own disciples off to Jesus as Jesus began his ministry. He had the honor of baptizing Jesus. Of John, Jesus said “among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” Jesus said that John was “a prophet and more than a prophet,” that he is the expected return of the great prophet Elijah, something that we would have thought to apply to Jesus himself. (Matthew 11)
If you survey John the Baptizer’s message across the gospels, you will find that he issued the fundamental prophetic call to repentance, to seek a change in heart and life. He harshly challenged his listeners to demonstrate fruit in keeping with this repentance, and that a lack of fruit (and thus lack of repentance) placed one in danger of wrath. Just like the earlier prophets, he provided examples of justice and injustice, imploring the wealthy, government officials, and soldiers to engage in concrete deeds toward others – give away your coat; do not conduct dishonest transactions; do not abuse your authority - as expressions of a changed heart and life. (Luke 3).
Just like the Old Testament prophets, John was passionate and eccentric, willing to sacrifice his own lifestyle to dramatize his message, a complex character who deserves our attention. His cryptic and challenging message requires our attention as well .. “Make straight the way of the Lord.”