John the Baptist

Are you ever fascinated by a person so much that you would love to emulate them? You probably are, and I am too. My hero, and his name is John the Baptist. This John is recognized as a man who was born to "Make straight the way of the Lord." The Bible speaks clearly about him, but other religions believe he lived also. Mormons, Muslims, Mandeans, Baha'i followers, Catholics, and even the Unification Church acknowledge his existence. We even know that Jesus calls him the "greatest man born of a woman to ever live." The famous Jewish Historian Josephus writes about him. So what makes John the Baptist special?

Here is why John is the best man alive:
1) John knew his purpose on earth was to give Jesus honor.
2) When Jesus came on the scene, John decreased his role.
3) John sacrificed his body to eat locusts and honey in order to preach the gospel continually and baptize people.
4) John rebuked the religious people of his day for their unbelief in Jesus.
5) John was a leader, but let his followers leave him in order to follow after Jesus.
6) John never claimed to be the Messiah.
7) He told people to repent of their sin.
8) John knew the role of the trinity in the works of God.
9) John died in order to preserve God's holy name and proclaim Jesus as God.

Why John would be martyred if he was alive in 2009...
1) John calls the religious people names.
2) He told a king to stop having an affair with his brothers wife.
3) He was not dressed nicely.
4) He lived in the desert.
5) He called people to repent of their sin and follow after Jesus.
6) John claimed that Jesus was the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." Their was no other way other than through Jesus.

John the Baptist was indeed a man who would never have survived in today's society either. Although John the Baptist was unique all Christians should crave to become more like John the Baptist. He pointed people to JESUS.

"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1:29).