“I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John…let the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7: 28

St John the Baptist, one of the most prominent and powerful; influential and impressive personality in all history, is this man who lived in the desert of Judah, in rugged mountainous, between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea (Matt. 3: 1), who ate locusts and wild honey, wore clothes from camel’s hair with a leather belt, and lived for one purpose alone, to prepare one plan of God, (Is. 40:3, Jn 1: 23) to proclaim and point, to the world, Jesus Christ – ‘Behold the Lamb of God’.  

John, whose days were destined and designed by the Lord, was born with a specific purpose and timing in history. He knew, understood, and answered God’s call, lived with clear direction and intention, pursuing it with his whole heart and life. John grew up strong in spirit, not letting anything get in his way but with his heart and mind, set and focused on Christ. John the Baptist was a strong, brave, courageous, humble leader, obedient to God’s purposes. He lived with focused determination and purpose. solely to point others to Christ. John the Baptist was willing to speak truth, even if it meant his own death. 

Birth of St John the Baptist is commemorated twice a year – three weeks before the feast of Nativity of our Lord and on June 24^th, six months prior to December 25^th.[The liturgical calendar of the Indian Malankara Orthodox Church commemorates the Feast of Annunciation to St Mary – the Theotokos, twice in a year – during the season of Annunciation, five weeks before the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and another on March 25].Elizabeth was six months pregnant when the Angel announced to St Mary that she will bear the Son of Most High- “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren” (Luke 1: 36).

John, a Levite was born to Priest Zechariah in the line of Abijah, and Elizabeth a descendent daughter from Aaron (Lk 1: 5). John held the priesthood of Aaron, giving him the authority to perform baptisms. Angel Gabriel separately announced the coming births of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist. Jesus Christ and John, the Baptist were related. Their mothers Virgin Mary, and Elizabeth, were cousins (Lk. 1: 36) and were with child at the same time. John the Baptist was born 6 months before Jesus Christ (Lk 1: 36).

Angel Gabriel appeared and announced the birth of John the Baptist, to his father, Priest Zachariah, in the temple. Gabriel told Zachariah that they would have a son, and that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit while in his mother’s womb. Zachariah questioned Gabriel, saying “How shall I know this?” As a sign, Gabriel told Zachariah that he would be unable to speak until his son was born. Thus, when Zachariah left the temple, he was mute, and all who knew him realized he had seen a vision. Priest Zachariah, who lost his power of speech because of his unbelief over the birth of his son, and had it restored on day of John’s circumcision (Lk. 1: 64).” When John was born, his relatives wanted to call him Zacharias, after his father. They came to his father, who wrote as follows, “His name is John“, thus John is named. Immediately Zacharias was able to speak. He blessed the Lord, and prophesied concerning John, saying: “You will be called the prophet of the Most-High“. The Church observes the birth of John the Baptist as a hallowed event.

Luke’s narrative of the birth of John borrows heavily from the Old Testament. The first and most important parallel is between John’s parents and Abraham and Sarah. Like Abram and Sarai, Zechariah and Elizabeth are righteous (Luke 1: 6). They are also old and childless, with no hope of descendants. Both Sarah and Elizabeth are introduced as barren (Gen 11:29-30; Luke 1:5-7). Abraham, however, receives repeated promises of numerous descendants (Gen 12:2; 13:16; 155; 17:15-17). This promise of many descendants is suggested likewise for Zechariah and Elizabeth by the parallel Lucan narrative, was fulfilled spiritually.

John (God is gracious) the Baptist, came preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Prophet Isaiah, referred to him 700 years before his birth “A voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for The Lord, make straight paths for Him.” (Matt. 3: 1-3). A prophet whose own coming was prophesied by an earlier prophet over 700 years before (Is. 40: 3-5) – yet another illustration of God’s step-by-step Plan.

John who led a simple life, was a Nazarite from his birth (Lk. 1:15; Num. 6:1-12). His style was very plain, even coarse, and different in dress, manner, and food. John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. He walked barefoot, eating locusts and wild honey (Matt. 3: 4). John, like Christ, did never own anything, never drank wine, or cut his hair or beard, spend time in endless prayer and to always be separate, alone, close to God. John had a popular ministry. He dressed like Elijah and reminded the people of their old-time prophets, who had spoken out boldly in past centuries, speaking God’s words of warning to a people who had sometimes drifted from their earlier teachings. John’s crowd became huge; all Israel was tingling with his announcements. The Baptist’s growing fame had drawn pilgrims from all over the land. “People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea, and the whole region of the Jordan, confessing their sins, and were baptized by him in the Jordan River (Matt 3: 5-6).

John the Baptist, humbly baptized Jesus Christ. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me”? Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness” (Matt. 3: 13-15). John’s ministry became so popular that some wondered if he was the messiah. He answered, “I am not the Christ, but I am sent ahead of Him” (Jn. 3: 28) that he was not worthy to unloose the Master’s sandals (Lk. 3: 16). He pointed him out to his disciples, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God.” With the ministry of Jesus Christ thus begun, John recognized that his own mission was nearing its end: “He must become greater; I must become less.” (Jn. 3: 30).

He was considered very highly by Jesus Christ. Christ said about him, ” I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” (Matt. 11:11; Lk. 7 :28). He was the greatest, not in the eyes of man, but the greatest in the eyes of God, greater than Moses, greater than Abraham, greater than David and Solomon.

John’s ministry, and life, came to an end when he admonished Herod, for his sinful behavior (Lk. 3: 19-20). He was imprisoned at Machaerus, a fortress about 9 miles (15 kilometres) east of the Dead Sea. There, he was beheaded. After he was killed, John’s disciples came and buried his body, and then went and told Jesus all that had happened (Matt. 14: 12).

May the prayers of St John the Baptist be a refuge to us and may we, through his intercessions, show Christ to others through our words and deeds!