John the Baptist was as Old Testament as the New Testament gets.

He fit the description of a wild prophet of the Lord. Like Elijah he wore camel skin for clothing, lived in the wilderness, and upset those in power. His diet of locusts recalled the images spelled out by Joel, Nahum, and Jeremiah. In eating honey, John alluded to Israel’s great prophet, Moses, who conveyed the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey.

Prophets directed the gaze of their hearers to the plan of God unfolding just over the horizon. John did not hesitate to point his disciples to the Lamb of God when Jesus made his appearance at the Jordan River.

John’s primary task was to prepare the people for the Messiah by calling them to repentance. People from all walks of life came asking what they should do:

And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

Luke 3:11-14, ESV

For about six months, this was John’s ministry: helping people see the sin in their lives and directing them toward God’s Kingdom.

John did not hold back criticism from even those in positions of power. When standing face-to-face with Herod Antipas, John tells the Tetrarch that taking his brother’s wife was a sin. For this, John was arrested and eventually beheaded.

John fulfilled his role for God and delivered the word that was needed. The hearts of those who had repented at John’s teaching were ready for the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. John decreased as Jesus increased (John 3:30). Jesus tells his disciples:

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Matthew 11:11, ESV

How are we to understand when Jesus says “Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he?” The statement is meant to elevate the nature of the glorious Kingdom about to open up.

• John’s clothing and food were rough and simple; Jesus invites us to the banquet.
• John baptized with water; Jesus’ baptism gives the Holy Spirit.
• John called a nation to account; Jesus calls all nations to love.

John’s message of repentance is the first step in a richer gospel that leads further into the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of Christ.

We need to face our own sin and the coming judgment, as John warns. We can also rest in the promises of Christ that our fears can be driven out by His perfect love (I John 4:18).