John the Baptist
Who do you think is the most remarkable person who ever lived? Many Christians would unhesitatingly name Jesus Christ because he is the center of their faith. It is all the more astonishing, then, that Jesus explicitly described another person as the greatest of all. He said to his disciples: “I tell you that among those born of women there is not greater than John, yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Lk 7,28).
John the Baptist enjoyed great renown in his time. People from Jerusalem and throughout the Judean region traveled to him to hear his compelling sermons. He was no ordinary man, but a striking figure who attracted attention and sparked questions. The Bible vividly describes his appearance: "And John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey." (Mk 1,6).
Perhaps you've heard the phrase: "It's not about me." This was especially true of John. His entire message was focused on the coming of another who would follow him. His goal was to prepare people for this coming Savior: "This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 'Who are you?' And he confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, 'I am not the Christ.'" (Joh 1,19-20).
baptism
To prepare people for the coming of Christ, John called them to the baptism of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Baptism was not John's invention, nor was it a purely Israelite custom. Since ancient times, it has stood as a well-known symbol of a new beginning, an outward sign of spiritual rebirth. Those who were baptized by John openly acknowledged that their lives were in need of forgiveness and renewal. These people recognized their sinfulness and confessed their guilt before God.
Because God reveals his love for us, we can entrust our guilt to Christ without fear, even the heaviest burden of our darkest sins and anxieties. In the honest confession of our sinfulness, we become aware of how much we depend on God's mercy: "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Kol 1,19–20).
The Son of God took humanity upon himself. In his perfect, obedient sacrifice of love, he reconciled humanity with God. On the cross, he took upon himself everything that separates us from God. Jesus opened the way to a renewed relationship with our Creator and Father.
When we let go of our rebellion against God and consciously entrust ourselves to his faithful will, we live by his grace. We no longer rely on our own efforts, but on what Christ has done for us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2. Kor 5,17).
Those who are a new creation in Christ no longer need to define themselves by their own achievements. Our old life has passed away; everything has become new. Thank God, it's truly not about me. The sole focus is Jesus Christ, who became human for our sake, the incarnate Son of God. He is the one who frees us from all dark sins, takes our future into his hands, and grants us deep peace and lasting rest.
by J. Michael Feazell
