Jesus said this about John: “… among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist …” (Matthew 11:11)

 

Amazingly, John’s first recorded action was in the womb, when he jumped for joy as his mother greeted Mary, mother of Jesus.

 

Growing up, he surely must have marvelled that his birth was heralded by an angel who left his doubtful dad unable to speak for months. His name, too, was uncommon at the time.

 

John went to live in the wilderness, growing stronger in the spirit. Nothing more is mentioned regarding his elderly parents.

 

Later, when the word came to John during the time of the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, he came into his own, commencing his ministry around the Jordan, preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins.

 

Soon people started to wonder whether the fiery preacher, John the Baptist, was the Messiah, a designation he fiercely refuted. He made it clear that the true Redeemer was yet to make an appearance, and that he, John, was unworthy even of untying the straps of his sandals.

 

He had the privilege of baptising the Lamb of God. While Jesus was praying, John had a clear view of Jesus as heaven opened, and as God the Father spoke about his beloved Son from the clouds while the Holy Spirit descended like a dove. What a moment!

 

After some time, John, this camel-skin-wearing, locust-eating forerunner – the promised Elijah who was to come according to Matthew 11:14 – had the courage to confront Herod the Tetrarch about sin in his life and ended up in prison. While there, according to the same chapter, incredibly, John had a burning question. "When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples  to ask him, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?' ” (Matthew 11:2-3)

 

Eventually, John ended up beheaded at the command of a people-pleasing ruler. It is clear that living for God is not easy. Even the men numbered among the truly great have had doubts.

 

John was privy to the Trinity right before his very eyes. What then of the doubts of us mere mortals? I implore you to take heart and trust God. No matter what.

 

Prayer: Father God, you often work in ways we do not understand. Help us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when nothing makes sense. Amen.