Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 18:1 (Summer 2009)
Article: John The Baptist, Prophet Of The Highest A Devotional Study
Author: Kenneth C. Fleming

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EMJ 18:1 (Summer 2009) p. 71

John The Baptist, Prophet Of The Highest
A Devotional Study

Kenneth C. Fleming1

Part 2: The Shaping Of The Man For His Ministry
Matthew 3:1-2; Mark 1:4; Luke 1:80; 3:1-3; John 1:6

Introduction

From the time of the prophet Malachi, four hundred years before, there had been no direct word from God to his people. Then suddenly the strident sounds of John’s prophecy were heard over the land of Judea for one brief moment of history. The Bible gives him several titles, all related to his relationship with coming Messiah. He was the Prophet of the Most High proclaiming God’s word about the coming of the King (Luke 1:76). He was the Messenger from God delivering the message that the people should prepare for the coming of the King (Mal. 3:1). He was the Doorkeeper opening the door for the King (John 10:3). He was the Witness testifying of the identity of the King (John 1:7, 15). He was the Friend of the Bridegroom coming to support the bride of Israel when the bridegroom comes (John. 3:29).

The Bible says of him, “There was a man sent from God whose name was John” (John 1:6). In Part 1 we learned how God presided over the details of John’s birth for his key role in the history of salvation.2 We saw how the events of his conception and birth were intertwined with those of Jesus the Messiah who

EMJ 18:1 (Summer 2009) p. 72

was his contemporary. In this second part we will examine how God shaped the man he would use to introduce his Son as the promised Messiah. Certain events ordered by God during his growth through childhood and manhood prepared him for his ministry. From these we can learn how God prepares believers for ministry today.

Of those things God used to shape John for his unique ministry we will note five in particular.

• He was born to fulfill a predestined purpose.
• He was brought up by his parents to know the history of Israel.
• He spent time alone with God in the wilderness getting to know God.
• He was obedient to carry out God’s purpose.
• He was obedient when the word of God came to him.

Born To Fulfill God’s Purpose

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