Advent: Time for the B.E.S.T
E: Enlightened
Through an examination of Scripture, it is obvious to see that John was B-Bold, in both his speech and his actions. Now let's explore how John the Baptist fits the B.E.S.T. description by being E-Enlightened.
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No, I am not encouraging anyone to jump on the current cultural bandwagon and declaring how newly "woke" I am or we all should be. Instead, let's use this Advent season to reflect on the importance of Jesus' birth and also explore John the Baptist's role in this season. Enlightened: "having or showing a rational, modern, and well-informed outlook"
This definition looks reasonable, but by society's standards, most wouldn't have described John as rational, modern, or well-informed about what the world views as important.
Spiritually speaking, John does fit every bit of the above definition by Oxford Languages, but the second definition is even more appropriate: "spiritually aware." We have every indication from Scripture that John the Baptist was Spirit-filled even from the womb.
In the beginning of Luke's gospel, Luke explains that he has completed a great deal of investigation surrounding Jesus, and he desires to "write an orderly account." This orderly account actually begins with John's beginnings.
John's parents were Zechariah and Elizabeth, and Luke 1:6 states, "Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly."
How remarkable to be described in this manner! The rest of the story is in the next verse, "But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old." So, a childless home for these two who passionately followed the Lord.
And then one day when Zechariah was continuing to carry out his priestly duties, he was startled by an angel. Luke 1:13-17, records the scene, "But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Clearly, John the Baptist was Enlightened (spiritually aware) since he was filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth!
Physical evidence of this is even revealed in the familiar account of the expectant Mary (Jesus' mother) visiting her relative Elizabeth (who was expecting John). Luke 1:41 states, "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit."
John 1:6-8 states John's enlightenment more succinctly, "There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light."
John the Baptist has a big role in the Christmas story, and actually, we need to strive to follow in his footsteps. We don't have to wear camel hair clothing or eat locusts, but we do need to seek wisdom and ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit. We do need to "testify concerning that light."
Jesus wants to play a role in the lives of each of us.
He wants us to each be enlightened and recognize the True Light in our lives.
We are then to spend our lives striving to be "a witness to the light."
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