the Herald Silenced; the Messiah Appears
We are told that the time of John's appearance was the Sabbatic year, when field-work was suspended, and the people had comparative leisure. In his passion for God, reality and truth, John asked for nothing of men; but men were willing to give him anything. The impression he made on his age was due to his selfless devotion to the coming Kingdom and its King. The great cities emptied themselves into the Jordan valley. The youth of Gennesaret left their fishing boats to sit at his feet. The “spirit and power of Elijah” rested on him. All classes felt that he could speak to their needs, and submitted to his direction.
But how abashed his bearing before Jesus! The voice that had swept the crowds like a whirlwind sank to whispers. Our Lord took him into fellowship-“it becometh us. ” The porter opened the door and recognized that it was the true Shepherd who passed in, John 1:32-34.