John the Baptist - DB

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea. Matt. 3:1

    Sometimes we think of Bible heroes, like John, to be different from ourselves - superior in some way.  John had been called by God to prepare the way for Christ.   He had been sent into the wilderness to preach, “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  He had been commanded to baptize those who repented of their sins.  These things John had been called to do and he did.  As to everything else, the Bible suggests he was like the rest of us, walking by faith.

     John had limited knowledge.  John 1: 33 tells us John did not know the identity of the Messiah until the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism.   John had doubts.  While in prison, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah.  Like us, John was human.   What separates John from me many times is not some special revelation he received from God, but his obedience to that which God had shown him.

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