John the Baptist

Mark 6:14 CSB

King Herod heard about it, because Jesus’s name had become well known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that’s why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

INTRO—

**WELL DONE…**

Born in Indian Territory c. 1888 (May), member of the Sac & Fox nation...

1912 Olympic Pentathlon & Decathlon [first-time events] Gold Medalist…[WELL DONE!!]

The games were in Stockholm, King Gustav V said, “You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world.”

Remarkable athlete—track, football, basketball, & baseball…

Having played baseball, “professionally,” in 1910-1911, the IOC took away his medals in 1913…

He stated he was unaware of the problem. Even the IOC was inconsistent with its ban of ‘pro’ athletes at that time & also regarding the time-frame to appeal his status.

He died in 1953, age 65—practically destitute…

His family & others constantly petitioned for his medals’ reinstatement…

In 1982-1983, his medals were reinstated—as co-champion with the second place competitor in each event.

In 2022, he was finally reinstated as the sole gold medalist in each event.

WELL DONE, Jim Thorpe—Olympic Champion!

From unexpected (unwanted) origins…to Olympic champion...to unworthy status…to redemption & justice…

The journey of ‘well done’ is not always perfect, or what’s expected—as we have seen with Abraham, Sarah, and could point out for David, Moses, Peter, or Paul.

Today, we turn our attention to what many would (have then and even now) call a renegade, marginalized, etc., person…

JOHN THE BAPTIST

Luke 1:44 “For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me.”

Luke 1.13-14 — Angel announces John the Baptist’s birth.

Well done, John the Baptist…lived about 30-33 years

Set to Be

Luke 1:15–17 “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”

Teacher — ‘turn many…to the Lord their God…& the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous’

Prophet — ‘go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah’

Forerunner — ‘he will go before him…to make ready for the Lord a prepared people’

Was

“Pre-” Evangelist [Forerunner] (esp. vv. 7-8)

Mark 1:1–8 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight! John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Teacher [Disciple-maker] (esp. vv. 25-27)

John 3:22–30 After this, Jesus and his disciples went to the Judean countryside, where he spent time with them and baptized. John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People were coming and being baptized, since John had not yet been thrown into prison. Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a Jew about purification. So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing—and everyone is going to him.” John responded, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of him.’ He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Prophet [esp. to a politician who claimed to be ‘of the people of God;’ “such emotional swings (Herod) frequently characterize despotic rulers” (NAC, Blomberg, Craig L., Mt 14.3-5)] (esp. vv. 3-5)

Matthew 14:1–13 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus. “This is John the Baptist,” he told his servants. “He has been raised from the dead, and that’s why miraculous powers are at work in him.” For Herod had arrested John, chained him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, since John had been telling him, “It’s not lawful for you to have her.” Though Herod wanted to kill John, he feared the crowd since they regarded John as a prophet. When Herod’s birthday celebration came, Herodias’s daughter danced before them and pleased Herod. So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she answered, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” Although the king regretted it, he commanded that it be granted because of his oaths and his guests. So he sent orders and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. Then his disciples came, removed the corpse, buried it, and went and reported to Jesus. When Jesus heard about it, he withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone. When the crowds heard this, they followed him on foot from the towns.

CONCL—

WELL DONE, John the Baptist, for…

Jesus’ assessment of John (the Baptist)

Luke 7:24–28 After John’s messengers left, he began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? See, those who are splendidly dressed and live in luxury are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

WELL DONE —

Previously…

Faithfulness, Courage, Perseverance, Faith, Obedience, Devotion, Forgiveness, Hope

John the Baptist…

Evangelistic, Prophetic

1 Peter 1:13–16 “Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Peter 2:9–10 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

INVITATION:

Salvation

Gospelizing [Evangelizing; Pointing to Jesus]

Prophetic [ESPECIALLY to the people of God!!]

Mark 6:29 CSB

When John’s disciples heard about it, they came and removed his corpse and placed it in a tomb.