When we hear this phrase, we think of a rugged, strong, muscle man. I think of a man who is willing to stand against the odds, not caring what others think when he is standing for the truth. The man we will look at today is a “Man’s, Man” from the Bible. He is referred to as John the Baptist.
John was the son of Zacharias, a priest, and Elisabeth was from the daughters of Aaron. Luke chapter 1 tells us they had no children and they were “well stricken in years,” in other words they were old! When the angel comes to Zacharias to tell him they were to have a child, Zacharias does not believe him. Because of his unbelief, he is not able to speak until John is born.
The angel told him his child would be named John. The name means Jehovah is gracious. Truly he was gracious to them to give them a son when they were well past the childbearing age. This son was also the cousin of Jesus. When Mary found out she was pregnant with Jesus she went to her cousin’s house to visit. When she entered John leaped in Elisabeth’s womb. The Spirit came upon Elisabeth and she declared “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”
Luke 1:39-44 “And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”
John was to be a great prophet to usher in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. Even Jesus, when asked about John, said there was no greater prophet than John the Baptist. This account is found in Luke 7:28. Isaiah 40:3 was speaking of John the Baptist as one that cried in the wilderness about the coming of the Lord Jesus. He preached repentance for sin in Matthew to all Judah and Jerusalem.
John was known as a rugged man wearing “camel’s hair” for a garment. He had it held together by a leather belt, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. (Matthew 3:4) The diet he ate was generally that of the very poor.
His influence was phenomenal. Multitudes followed him and were baptized by him. Even Jesus was baptized by John.
Matthew 3:16-17 “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
John stayed true to the gospel of Jesus Christ no matter what the conditions seemed to be. John brought many to Christ. They said, “he did no miracles,” but they believed everything he said.
John 10:41-42 “And many resorted unto him, and said, John, did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there.”
John must have been one of the greatest followers of Christ of all time. He is a true example to us of how to stand for truth. Tomorrow we will read the rest of the story.
Are you standing firm? Do others believe what you say because of the life you are living? What kind of influence are you having on those around you?
