John 1.2 Research Paper

John the Baptist burst on the scene when the people desperately needed a savior. John’s voice was a lone voice in the wilderness. “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness; make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said” (New Revised Standard Version, John 1.23). This passage illustrates God’s master plan in action as God selected John to be His special ambassador to proclaim His own coming. Little is known about John’s life other than he was a Levite; and that he lived a rugged life in the mountainous area of Judea, between the city of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. It is written that he wore clothes made out of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His diet was a simple one, locusts and wild honey (Matthew

John lived a simple life as he focused on the kingdom work set before him. The people only knew of the detailed set of laws that they were to carry out to achieve a distant hope of a better day; while their priest and teachers sat in synagogues, and temples wearing fancy clothes and boasting of their own righteousness. John however, was antitemple, antinationalism, and antiestablishment (Elwell and Yarbrough, 109). Many people come to John to hear his message, and come to believe that he was the Messiah. This assuredly was not his intent as he had a clear vision for what he was called to do. “You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of Him” (John 3.28). John brought many to claim their allegiance to Jesus through his ministry. He also is known for baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. Jesus come down to be baptized and John refused by saying “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3.14) Jesus insisted on John baptizing Him “Let it be so now; for it