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John the Baptist lived in the terrible deserts around the Dead Sea until the day of his public appearance to Israel. Instead of being draped in an expensive line of Nordstrom attire, this mysterious, peculiar prophet chose to be clothed in camel’s hair. This gruff and husky-looking man, who donned a caveman-like animal skin, probably projected a loud, bellowing voice. Instead of eating the most sumptuous meals at the Capernaum Café on Saturday nights, John limited himself to a steady diet of crunchy and unappetizing locusts, which were doused in wild honey. So unique was John’s place in history that Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you that among those born of women, there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). This prophet had an unusual part to play in God’s blueprint.  John the Baptist was the great forerunner of Jesus. 

One unique mark of John was that he had a helpful speech. It has been said that a public speaker has three speeches. The first speech is what the speaker wrote; the second speech is what the speaker actually delivers; and the third speech is what the speaker wishes he said after it is over. We don’t know whether or not John the Baptist wrote down what he said, nor do we know if he wished he said something different. But what we do know is that the pronouncement that left his mouth tremendously benefited his listeners.

There was a helpful and constructive dimension to his message. For one thing, his message was humble. Don’t forget that John was extremely popular. Many were prepared to receive him as the Messiah. Evidently, it was within his power to form a large following, and be regarded as the promised one of Israel. And yet, John was willing to lay aside all of those honors at the feet of Jesus Christ and acknowledge that he was unworthy to perform the most menial task. Check out John’s humility in the first part of John 1:15:  “John testified about him and cried out, saying, ‘This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I’’” (NAS); “[He is] preferred before me” (NKJV); “[He has] surpassed me” (NIV); and “[He is] far greater than I am” (NLT).  Jesus surpassed John because He was superior in every way. In Mark 1:7, John says: “I am not even fit to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.” John humbled himself and that showed in how he spoke. 

Next to being humble, John’s message was insightful. John’s special insight was that the Messiah would be his predecessor and his successor. The reason is seen in John 1:15c when John said:  “For he existed before me.”  You might say, “Wait a minute! How could Jesus have existed before John? I thought that John was a half year older than Jesus.” John is saying, “Yes, I was born six months prior to Jesus, but He existed before me in a pre-incarnate state.” The baptizer was speaking about how Jesus pre-existed. In Jesus’ human nature, His birth and ministry came after John; but in Jesus’ divine nature, He existed long before John.

So, what’s your message? How similar is your message to John’s? Do you communicate yourself in a way that is humble and insightful? If so, then God’s hand may be on your life just as His hand was on John’s life.