Hidden Heroes: John the Baptist

by David Chadwick

John the Baptist is today's hidden hero. A more well known Biblical name, but someone whose story has so many treasures I want to share with you.

Who is John the Baptist? He is Jesus's second cousin. Born to Mary's cousin Elizabeth. He was six months older than Jesus. John the Baptist and Jesus grew up together and knew each other very well. They were very close. Their closeness started in the womb. In Luke 1:41, we see that when Elizabeth greeted Mary, John the Baptist leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist was very gifted. His preaching brought thousands to hear him. He carried authority and power as he spoke, calling everyone who fell under the sound of his voice to repent of their sins and be baptized.

Probably a bit rough around the edges with garments of camel's hair and a diet of locusts and honey, John the Baptist was prophesied about by Isaiah in the Old Testament as being the voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord (Matthew 3:1-4).

John the Baptist is my hidden hero for two reasons.

First, because he saw a lot of his followers leave him and follow Jesus instead. Even some of his leaders like Andrew and John. Yet he ENCOURAGED them to do so!

Stop for a moment and think about that. Can you imagine? What preacher does that? Someone with a tremendous amount of humility! He knew that the story was not about him and freely released those who had been with him for a season to leave him and support Jesus's earthly mission.

Secondly, I love John the Baptist because he urged people that he must decrease and Jesus increase (John 3:30). It's one of my life verses that I use frequently to this day. He did not want his own life to get the glory, but Jesus, his Lord and Savior.

I feel the same way John the Baptist did. I am nothing. Jesus is everything! He alone deserves all the glory!