Ep. 48: John the Baptist: Prophet or Madman?

In this episode of "Under the Hood," Sam and Will delve into the life of John the Baptist, exploring his unique ministry, prophetic role, and surprising moments of doubt. They begin by establishing John's supernatural birth and his fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies as the forerunner of the Messiah, particularly those found in Isaiah 40 and Malachi 4, which describe him preparing the way for the Lord and coming in the spirit of Elijah.

The episode concludes with a poignant exploration of John's doubts while in prison, where he sends disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?". Jesus's response, by quoting Isaiah's prophecies and adding that "the dead are raised up," shifts John's focus from earthly liberation to spiritual resurrection. Sam and Will emphasize that John, despite his questions, is called "no one greater" by Jesus, offering encouragement that God is not afraid of our doubts, but rather commends our trust amidst them.