Why Did John the Baptist Come?

John’s mission was clear and humble: point people to Jesus. As the Gospel says, he came to “testify about the Light” (John 1:7). He was not the Light; he was the messenger. John prepared hearts to receive Christ through a simple call—repent, believe, and look to the Lamb of God.

10 Facts About John the Baptist

1) He was the prophesied forerunner

John fulfilled Isaiah’s promise: “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Matthew 3:3). He made straight the path to Jesus.

2) His message was repentance

John preached “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4). He called people to turn toward God.

3) He always pointed to Christ, not himself

John said, “I am not the Christ” (John 1:20). His focus stayed on Jesus from start to finish.

4) He announced the Lamb of God

Seeing Jesus, he declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:29). That short line still changes lives.

5) He modeled humility

John’s heart posture: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). That’s a blueprint for discipleship.

6) He baptized Jesus

Although he felt unworthy, John baptized Christ (see Matthew 3:13–17). The Spirit descended, and the Father’s voice affirmed the Son.

7) He preached with courage

John spoke truth to power. Even when costly, he remained faithful to God’s Word.

8) He pointed to the greater baptism

John contrasted his work with Jesus’: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 3:11).

9) Jesus praised him

Christ said that among those born of women, none was greater than John (see Matthew 11:11). That’s high praise—yet John stayed small so Jesus could be big.

10) His witness leads to faith

Scripture says John came “so that all might believe” (John 1:7). His testimony still points seekers to the Savior.

How John’s Story Helps Us Share Christ

John kept his message simple: turn to God and look to Jesus. We can do the same with family, friends, and neighbors. For practical ideas, see this helpful article: How to Share Christ in the New Year. Also, explore profiles of inspiring believers in these Christian leaders. And if you’re browsing, you can always find more resources on our website.

Moreover, visual tools help start gentle conversations about faith. In addition to today’s image, here’s another John the Baptist meme to share. Small seeds can lead to big growth.

Next Step

Pray for one person by name. Then, like John, point them to Jesus—kindly and clearly. As you go, remember John’s humble prayer:

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

That’s a faithful way to live—and to share the Light.