As we shall see, God had a purpose for raising up John the Baptist and once God’s purpose for him on earth was fulfilled, God allowed him to be put to death. This is the case with every believer. One has said, “The believer is IMMORTAL until God’s purpose for him/her is fulfilled.” But once our mission is completed, we too will die (unless the Lord returns to “rapture us to heaven,” for at that time we who are living on earth shall never experience death….see 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 and 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Let’s briefly consider 1) John’s MISSION; and 2) John’s IMPRISONMENT, DEATH, and REWARD:

1) John’s MISSION. This is especially seen in Matthew 3:1-3, “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’” John’s main mission was to introduce Israel’s long-awaited Messiah to them and for them to be prepared to receive Him, he told them to REPENT. If we read on in verse 5 it says, “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.” John is called “the Baptist” because his baptism was “unto repentance”.  In that act of baptism people were “confessing their sins” and admitting they were worthy of death. John faithfully proclaimed this message throughout the land and baptized the masses who came out to him. After it became obvious that the nation was NOT accepting Christ as their Messiah (John 1:11), John then pointed sinners to Jesus as the One who would be their “suffering Messiah” and thus we read in John 1:29, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” This was John’s “last mission” on earth.

2) John’s IMPRISONMENT, DEATH, and REWARD. You can read about John being put into prison and then being put to death in Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; and Luke 3:19-20; 9:7-9. We learn in these accounts that a true servant of the Lord may indeed be persecuted, even unto death. We should not be surprised when this happens. John was faithfully exposing King Herod’s sin (Matthew 14:3-4; Mark 6:17-18; and Luke 3:19-20) and thus he “suffered for righteousness’ sake.” The Apostle Peter was inspired to write about this in 1 Peter 3:14, “But even if you should ‘suffer for righteousness’ sake,’ you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” The Lord Jesus spoke on this same subject in what we often refer to as “The Sermon on the Mount” and He told us specifically the way in which “we are blessed.” In Matthew 5:10-12 we read, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, FOR GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” John SUFFERED GREATLY at the hands of Herod but we are assured here that he will be REWARDED GREATLY by God in heaven. Jesus has promised all believers, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). May we all take this to heart and learn to rejoice when we “suffer for righteousness’ sake” and for “Jesus’ sake” (see Philippians 1:29; Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 4:14, 16).  (DO)  (680.1)