6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Obviously, the Baptist didn’t blend with the world – that would be an understatement. His dress and diet surely drew attention not to mention his holy dialogue. Interestingly, the Prophet Elijah – the Baptist’s forerunner - appeared in Scripture garbed with the same attire. When one is desirous of following in the footsteps of another, they walk as they walk. The Baptist walked in the spirit and power of Elijah:
8 They replied, "He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist." The king said, "That was Elijah the Tishbite." 2 Kings 1:8 (NIV)
Jesus states the following regarding John and Himself in light of the world’s trite opinions and fickle acceptance and popularity – yet wisdom is always proved right in the end:
18 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."' But wisdom is proved right by her actions." Matt 11:18-19 (NIV)
That is why the Bible exhorts us to follow wisdom – no matter how costly – which, of course, is Jesus personified:
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Prov 4:5-7 (NIV)
Sometimes, as diamonds, things come wrapped up in rough packages - such as camel’s hair with leather belts - their value not readily exposed. There was not a glimmer in John’s outward covering that would have given a hint to the precious Holy Spirit he contained. He carried around Treasure in his jar of clay. Remember, John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his birth. The angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah, John’s father, prior to the Baptist’s arrival to earth:
13 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 give him the name John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 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 from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:13-17 (NIV)
John the Baptist’s actions were similar to those who took the Nazirite vow – those specifically consecrated to the Lord and set apart for God’s use. John held a fixed focus on his purpose – a made up mindset on his actions as he sojourned here on earth. How refreshing is that? John arrived on the scene fleshing out the Gospel showing denial of the flesh and contempt over the worldly paste gems compared to the diamonds of Deity – he was a nonconformist at best. Most of us follow after the world with its futile pursuit of happiness simply because it’s easier and we want to blend. Unfortunately, as we are all like sheep, we tend to go astray. The more we choose to live above the world, the better we are prepared for the Lord Jesus. When someone stays at a task for the duration in our day and age – particularly when it is not glam or easy or widely acclaimed or accepted by the world, it stands out – just like the Baptist.
“Theirs is an endless road, a hopeless maze, who seek for goods before they seek for God.” Berrnard of Clairvaux
Eugene Peterson renders Romans 12:2 in The Message:
"Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." Romans 12:2
Lastly, the Baptist demonstrated perfect humility in his relationship to the Lord Jesus. Even a menial slave was not required to do the task so low of stooping down and untying the sandal of his master yet John says he was not even worthy to accomplish this work for Jesus. Biblically, humility always precedes exaltation:
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)
Jesus sweetly extols the Baptist with His Words making the criticism poured on him by the world pale in comparison to the delight of the Lord’s smile and approval. The things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of Jesus’ glory and grace.
11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matt 11:11 (NIV)