The angel told Zechariah that God had a purpose for his son. We know God used John to prepare His people for the coming Messiah. Luke 1: 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” [1]
John the Baptist is technically an Old Testament prophet because he prophesied before the death and resurrection of Jesus. His ministry reflected that of Elijah, which had been prophesied. Malachi 4: 5 Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. [2] John, like Elijah, urged the people to repent of sin and turn back to the Lord.
Filled with the Spirit for a Purpose
The angel told Zechariah that his son would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth. The angel revealed God’s plan that Isaiah had foretold. Luke 3: 4 Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him! 5 The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. 6 And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.’ ” [3]
John would prepare hearts to receive Jesus. Not everyone would be willing to change, and John ruthlessly called them out. Luke 3: 7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God”.[4] He did this because the people were going to need to move from ritual to a relationship with Jesus.
John also revealed Jesus to the people. John 1: 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” [5]
God Has a Purpose for Each of Us
While none of us is John the Baptist, God has a plan and purpose for each of us. Ephesians 2: 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. [6] Jesus came to restore what sin had corrupted. We can refuse this gift or accept Jesus’ salvation and way. If you have not accepted that gift, it is available this Christmas season. Turn to Jesus to receive the best gift.
To learn how God used John to prepare His people, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/an-angel-surprise
[1-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.