Why was it that Luke began his Gospel narrative telling of the birth of John the Baptist? Preparation precedes power, and John the Baptist was the Lord’s preparer. Here’s the story.

While an old man named Zacharias worked in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him. “…Fear not, Zacharias:” he said, “[for] thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” (Luke 1:13) The angel promised that this little boy would bring much joy to many people, but not just because John was a baby, but because he would “…be great in the sight of the Lord…many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.” (Luke 1:15-16)

That was Gabriel’s prophesy. In short, John was born to go before the Savior and make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Zacharias, as you can imagine, struggled to believe what he was being told. I don’t blame him. Elisabeth was too old to have a baby. But, nonetheless, Elisabeth conceives and goes into hiding grateful that the Lord has been so kind to her.

One day a beautiful young woman, Mary, comes into the courtyard of Elisabeth’s home, and calls out a greeting. In the womb, John leaps for joy, and he and his mother are filled with the Holy Ghost. Picture it: The two sons of prophecy and their sainted mothers spend the next three months together. In her age, and in her wisdom, and filled with the spirit, I can only imagine how Elisabeth prepared Mary for what was to come.

When John is born, there are miracles; wonderful things are said, and wonderful things happen to such an extent that the people who are there marvel. “…What manner of child shall this be!…” they said. (Luke 1:66) John was a very, very famous baby!

On the night of the Savior’s birth in Bethlehem, John was six months old in Hebron. With Elisabeth knowing what she knew about Mary, I wonder how really far away she was from her cousin when Mary delivered.

Later, when the soldiers came to kill Jesus, you know they were looking for two babies, not one. Joseph and Mary fled into Egypt and saved Jesus from Herod’s soldiers. Zacharias sent John and Elisabeth into the wilderness. While Joseph and Jesus escaped, Zacharias was killed for refusing to tell where John was.

As Jesus grew up with his father hewing wood, John grew up in the wilderness eating locusts and wild honey – both men, a simple way of life. Both waited a long time for their missions to come, and both were prepared by the Lord. Both were powerful teachers!

When Jesus came out of the Galilee teaching and calling disciples, you know John was already there doing the Lord’s work. Some of the first disciples that Jesus had were John’s friends first. When Jesus preached His father’s doctrine, it was already familiar to the people; John taught it.

Before the Lord baptized, John baptized. Before the Jews heard Jesus, they heard of Him and about Him from John. John pointed to Jesus; he always pointed men to Jesus. John was a prophet who was a type and shadow of Christ. As Jesus bore witness of the Father, John bore witness of Jesus. As Jesus was persecuted, so was John. Before Jesus died a martyr, John did. And finally when the Savior rose in the resurrection, John was with Him. John was the Baptist – yes. But greater still, he was a prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ. To have met John would have reminded you of Jesus.

As Luke’s story began with a special babe born to prepare the way, may we be reminded that this year we are to be as John. History repeats. Live in the Master’s light, so that to know you is to know Him. He is coming, my friend, and you are born to prepare the way.