Mark 1:7
“And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.”
John the Baptist is considered the forerunner of Jesus Christ. Before he was born, God told his mother that he would be the one who would prepare the way of Jesus Christ. When John became an adult, he did not run from this calling; instead, he embraced it and fulfilled it perfectly. He was the perfect forerunner of Jesus Christ.
Actually, every Christian is to be the forerunner of Jesus Christ. There is a world in which we live that needs to be introduced to Jesus Christ, and our job as a forerunner just may determine whether they will accept Him. It would be terrible if a Christian lived such a life that the lost wanted nothing to do with Christ. The world should be able to look at every Christian and see a perfect forerunner of Christ. Let me show you the makings of a forerunner by looking at the life of John the Baptist.
First, a forerunner must be willing to be the lone voice. Mark 1:3 says about John the Baptist, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness,…” He did not shy away from the loneliness that being a forerunner brings. He understood as a forerunner he would be the lone voice proclaiming the truth. If you are going to be a successful forerunner of Christ, then you must be willing to be that lone voice in a wilderness of sin. If you need a pat on the back for everything you do for Christ, then you will never be a successful forerunner. As a forerunner, many will never notice what you do. Many times a forerunner may seem to be unappreciated, but that is the job of a forerunner. Don’t shy away from being the lone voice because of a lack of recognition, but realize it is all a part of being a forerunner of Jesus Christ in the wilderness in which you live.
Second, a forerunner must be willing to be different. Mark 1:6 shows us how John the Baptist dressed and ate differently from everyone else. I’m not saying that you have to be strange to be a forerunner, but you must dress, talk and eat the way Christ would want you to do. Remember, you’re a forerunner for Christ, and He has a right to tell you to come out of the world and be separate so you can successfully prepare the way for Him to do a work in the hearts of those who need Him.
Third, a forerunner must not shy away from standing for truth. The reason John the Baptist lost his life is because he stood against the adultery in the life of his present day ruler. He lost his head for truth’s sake. Friend, you will never be a successful forerunner for Christ if you are not willing to stand for truth at all costs. Truth is not always popular, but as a forerunner you must proclaim it.
Fourth, a forerunner must point to Christ. The whole purpose of being a forerunner is to give all attention to Christ. If you must point to yourself and what you’ve done, then you will be a poor forerunner of Christ. Stop talking about all that you’ve done, and start talking about all that Christ has done. Your whole job is to always deflect any attention away from yourself and direct it towards Christ.
Are you a good forerunner for Christ? You live in a wilderness of sin, and those who live in that wilderness need someone to point them to Jesus Christ. I dare you to be that forerunner for Christ in your wilderness. You will find that being a forerunner for Christ is what it will take to change your wilderness for good.