John the Baptist

“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.”

--Matt. 11: 11

Mary and Jesus, with John.

While John the Baptist was in prison he sent two of his disciples to Christ. When they came to Christ they asked him, “…Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” (Matt. 11:3) They were answered by Christ and He told them to return. Had I been with these men I would have probably testified to John that it was indeed the Savior of the world. I would have told him to have faith in Christ and that the prophesies were being fulfilled.

                To some it is speculated the John did not have the faith in Christ and that is why he sent his disciples; however this is not true. For a long time John had told his followers that they should not follow him anymore and they should go follow Christ. The disciples were very loyal to John and did not want to leave him. It was they who lacked the faith. John sent them to Christ as a trial of their faith. He sent them to see for themselves that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, and He was who they should be following. In the Bible Dictionary it states,

“Many have thought this event reflected a lack of confidence in John’s own mind. However, Jesus took the occasion to bear testimony of the great work John had done, emphasizing he was unwavering and true.” (pg. 714)             

From this it is acknowledged that John was faithful to the end, and carried out his mission of “preparing the way for Christ,” unlike any other man could have.

                When speaking of the greatness of John the Baptist Joseph Smith expressed,

“How is it that John was considered one of the greatest prophets? His miracles could not have constituted his greatness. First, he was entrusted with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the Lord. Whoever had such a trust committed to him before or since? No man. Secondly, he was entrusted with the important mission, and it was required at his hands, to baptize the Son of Man. Whoever had the honor of doing that? Whoever had so great a privilege and glory? Thirdly, John, at that time, was the only legal administration in the affairs of the kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power. The Jews had to obey his instructions or be damned, by their own law; and Christ Himself fulfilled all righteousness in becoming obedient to the law which he had given to Moses on the mount, and thereby magnified it and made it honorable, instead of destroying it. The son of Zacharias wrested the keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory from the Jews, by the hold anointing and decree of heaven, and these three reasons constitute him the greatest prophet born of a woman.” (Smith, Teachings, pp. 275-76)

In John 3, verse 30 John said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John was speaking of the Savior. By this verse we see how John was telling the people that they needed to follow Christ and stop following him. They believed John to be more than a prophet and weren’t quite following Christ yet. He was telling them to go follow Christ. When I read this verse I could just feel the love John had for Christ. He could have easily went on being the one the people followed, but he was humble and above all he knew that Christ was the Savior of the world. We can also apply this into our everyday lives. By recognizing the power within ourselves and by preparing the way, but when we come to that place where we know we need to hand over the credit, we must do as John and decrease, so that Christ may increase.

“He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.”

--John 5:35