God has given every leader a purpose for living and leaders can trust Him to guide them. Read John 1:19-28.

John the Baptist was the God-appointed messenger to announce the arrival of Jesus. John’s birth was foretold in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 4:5. John was a unique leader. He wore odd clothes, ate strange foods and preached an unusual message to the Judeans who went into the wasteland to see him. John had no power or position in the Jewish political system, but he spoke with almost irresistible authority. People were moved by his words because he spoke the truth, challenging the people to turn from their sins and baptizing them as a symbol of their repentance. John the Baptist believed God was directing his purpose and that allowed him to become a leader of great courage and great passion.

Excellent leaders understand how to prepare their team and organization for change. Read Mark 1:1-8.

All human history was about to change as Jesus, God’s promised Messiah, prepared to start His public ministry in Israel. God assigned John the Baptist the task of preparing the way for this unprecedented change. As we know today, Jesus was very different than anyone expected and John had a major task to get the people ready for this radical shift in expectations.

Even when they have personal needs, true servant leaders still put their team’s needs before their own. Read Matthew 14:1-14.

John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, was executed by King Herod. When Jesus received word of John’s death He left the crowds that had been following Him and took a boat to a more private place to pray and grieve for John. The crowds, who had never experienced anyone like Jesus, followed Him and when He saw what was happening and sensed the tremendous needs of the people, Jesus put His own emotional and physical needs on hold to focus on their needs.

Every leader needs someone who will give them wise counsel rather than a rebuke even when they need to vent. Read Matthew 11:1-6.

John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, had been imprisoned by King Herod for publicly holding him accountable for a moral failure. Prison stripped John’s inner circle of support from him and left him emotionally empty. John had a firm grip on his personal identity and mission; he knew he was called to prepare the people for Jesus’ message, but in a moment of weakness questioned Jesus’ identity. He sent his disciples to present his question to Jesus. Instead of reprimanding John for having doubts, Jesus provided the prophet with the information he needed to be strengthened and have his faith renewed.

Leaders must have courage. Sooner or later leaders will be required to stand for their values against powerful adversaries. Read Matthew 3:1-10.

The prophet Isaiah had foretold of another prophet that would precede the Messiah. Isaiah said there would be “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” John the Baptist was the prophet Isaiah identified. He was Jesus cousin and was approximately six months older than Jesus. John’s ministry was to call the Jewish people to repentance so their heart would be ready for Jesus’ message of repentance. John courageously called for the Jewish people to turn from their sinful lives and live out what they claimed to believe.