24.1 John was Jesus' forerunner. He prepared the way for the coming Messiah.
24.2 Here is a list of all the ways in which he prepared the way, or was a forerunner:
- He was announced first
- He was born first
- He grew and waxed strong in spirit in the wilderness, while Jesus grew and became strong in spirit in Nazareth.
- He began his ministry first
- He told the people to repent
- He told the people the Messiah was coming.
- He was the first to baptize and preach repentance for the remission of sin.
- He was the first to declare that Jesus was the Son of God. John 1:34
- He was the first to recognize Jesus as the "Lamb of God" who takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
- He was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. John 1:15-27
- His disciples became Jesus' disciples
- He was the first to die
24.3 In fact, the events of John's life are so closely linked with Jesus' life that we can fix the chronology of Jesus' ministry accordingly.
| John preaching and baptizing | Jesus' first year of ministry |
| John in prison | Jesus' second year of ministry |
| John beheaded | Jesus' third year of ministry |
24. 4 Jesus later spoke of John the Baptist in these words, "What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 11: 7-15
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