Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 18:2 (Winter 2009)
Article: John The Baptist, Prophet Of The Highest A Devotional Study
Author: Kenneth C. Fleming

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EMJ 18:2 (Winter 2009) p. 207

John The Baptist, Prophet Of The Highest
A Devotional Study

Kenneth C. Fleming1

Part 3: John, The Messenger And The Voice Of God
Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-5; Luke 3:3-14

Introduction

John’s preaching had affected the whole nation of Judea, and they came by in great numbers to hear him. Its effect was like that of Jonah in Nineveh, Martin Luther in Europe, and John Wesley in England. People recognized John as a prophet. God gave him the title “prophet of the Highest” (Luke 1:76). People flocked from Jerusalem and all Judea to hear him, many walking great distances, even though he performed no miracles. Those who believed him were baptized, confessing their sins (Luke 3:7). John’s mission was to prepare the people for the coming of the King, just as the prophets Isaiah and Malachi had predicted (Isa. 40:3; Mal. 3:1). He prepared the people by preaching the need for true repentance.

Why People Came To Hear John

What motivated the people to come to John? Some came because they believed he was the predicted messenger who, like Elijah the prophet, would call the people to repentance (Mal. 3:1; 4:5-6). When John appeared, dressed like Elijah,

EMJ 18:2 (Winter 2009) p. 208

preaching like Elijah, and calling people to repent, many thought he was Elijah (Mark 6:15; John 1:23). Perhaps, they thought, his predictions were true about the coming kingdom of heaven. John certainly had nothing personally to gain by preaching like that. He didn’t even take collections! Others believed his claim that he was the one predicted by Isaiah when he said, “I am ‘the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said” (John 1:23; cf. Isa. 40:3). But perhaps the greatest reason why people came was that John appealed to their sense of guilt. He revealed their sin and the danger of God’s judgment. He called for their repentance, confession of sin, and baptism as a sign of repentance. He promised God’s forgiveness through the coming Messiah. People’s consciences were touched, and they came.

John’s Preaching In The Wilderness

“The Kingdom Of Heaven Is At Hand” (

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