The Zeal of John the Baptist

In his classic poem “A Psalm of Life,” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned these inspiring lines:

“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.”

The poet’s words echo a spiritual truth that ought to resonate with all Bible Believers. They speak to the power of a noble purpose, a deep faith, and a steadfast hope.

In our Monday column on zeal, we begin a series devoted to the lives of great men and women of faith recorded in Scripture. People whose zeal burned brightly, sometimes even in the midst of fierce opposition and personal struggles. We begin with the forerunner of the Messiah, John the Baptist. Few characters in the New Testament embody the spirit of zeal more than John B.

Before his birth, the angel of the Lord prophesied to his father, Zechariah, that John would be “great in the sight of the Lord.” His greatness would be recognized by the prominent Jewish religious leaders of his day, not by the powerful Roman rulers. Still, Jesus offered the compliment to John when he said, “For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist…”

Manifestation of John’s Zeal

First and foremost, bold preaching characterized John’s zeal. He confronted the hypocrisy of the religious elite, calling them a “brood of vipers,” rebuked King Herod for his adulterous relationship, and called his hearers to “repent.”

“The zeal of John the Baptist,” as one author wrote, “was not a passing fervor or self-driven ambition; it was a holy fire kindled by his love for God, his deep awareness of divine purpose, and his unwavering commitment to truth.”

John’s zeal was further fueled by his courage. He was fearless and unfaltering in his ministry and mission. He had a Divine assignment that would not be deterred by doubt, criticism, or even rejection of his message. His courage supports all the other virtues in his life. As the modern poet Maya Angelou opines, “Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”

John’s zeal also manifests itself in a rejection of a life of comfort and ease. Instead, He chose the rugged desert, clothed himself in camel’s hair, and dieted on locusts and wild honey. This Spartan lifestyle was a statement of his priority for spiritual matters over material luxury. His focus was on God’s calling and fulfilling His purpose.

Often, one’s zeal leads them to self-exaltation and personal glory. Not John. He knew who he was. And he knew who he wasn’t. He deflected Messianic claims and declared Jesus as “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He humbly admitted, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). John’s passion was tempered and purified by his humility.

Finally, it’s apparent from his lifestyle, preaching, influence, and Jesus’ commendation that John was a man of holiness, purity, and personal integrity. Passion apart from purity is empty and self-defeated. It’s been noted that John’s “moral purity gave power to his preaching; his credibility made his message compelling.”

A Zeal Worth Imitating

John’s zeal and his greatness remind us that we don’t have to make a big splash by the world’s standards to make a difference. Power, position, and prestige are not the standards by which God measures our influence, greatness, or the spark needed for passionate service.

The humble servant, the godly Shepherd who leads by serving, the praying mother, the quiet encourager, the unknown evangelist laboring in obscurity, and the aged saint who’s lived a faithful life all have the potential to leave an indelible imprint on the sands of time. Their zeal, yet unknown and unheard of by the world or even the brotherhood, is making a difference in their circle of influence.

Imbibe the spirit of zeal like John B., and in the words of Longfellow

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman