Ordinary John

(Apologies to everyone named John.)

1 Corinthians 1:25 "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (27a) "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise."

Of old, it was prophesied that a child would be born, who would become a voice crying in the wilderness, a messenger of the Savior. They were nearly the same age, born into the same family (Luke 1:36), they trained disciples and taught multitudes, they were cruelly killed. It was John who baptized Jesus, though he was unworthy to untie the thong of Christ's sandal. Jesus says of this man:

Matthew 11:9-14 "But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.' Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come."

A man with such a wonderful God-given purpose, promised to Israel long before his birth! He was special, unique, even "Elijah who is to come". But his father was commanded, by a brilliant messenger straight from the presence, to give this child a name that had been used by mankind for a long time. A common, ordinary name.

Luke 1:13 "But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John."

JOHN! How many kids in the neighborhood grew up with that same name? Even Zacharias's relatives complained. The voice crying in the wilderness, the messenger who prepared the way for the Lord Jesus Christ, was given an ordinary name. Its still ordinary. Everyone knows somebody named John. Why would God set up this event from the beginning of Time, promising this child for hundreds of years, sending an angel with a message straight from His mouth - to name this boy John?

Not only might this name seem foolish; but he was born to parents who had very little hope to bear children. Elizabeth was barren. She and her husband were "well advanced in years". Zacharias, in his wisdom, doubted the angel who spoke to him - and was struck dumb, because God's foolishness is wiser than any of man's wisdom.

He lived in the wilderness; he ate bugs and honey. He wore rough clothing. He was no king or priest in fine robes; he was a member of a higher kingdom than the one the world knew.