John the Baptist – A Powerful Voice Calling in the Wilderness

“This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

Matthew 3:3

Dear Family & Friends,

It is always a good idea to make people aware when something important is coming their way. In our business we often send out contracts through a digital signature software called Docusign. The signer receives the contract through the email and can sign online. Whenever I send out an auction contract I always make sure to tell the person it is coming. This ensures that it doesn’t end up in the “Spam” folder and the message is missed. And, in fact, God even sent someone to prepare the way for the coming of His Son. His name was John the Baptist.

An Important Messenger Sent By God

Four hundred quiet years had passed since any prophet had spoken a direct message from God. Thirty years had passed since wisemen saw a brilliant star in the sky and shepherds heard angels singing on a hillside announcing the birth of a King. But after these seekers trekked to Bethlehem to worship this Holy Child there was more silence.

Not much is known about the early years of Jesus’ life, and Matthew jumps ahead from the time of His birth to introduce an important messenger who prepared the way for Jesus’ formal ministry as an adult. This forerunner, prophesied about in the book of Isaiah (40:3), was a loud, unconventional preacher who did not follow the ordinary dress code or diet of the day.

He burst onto the scene attracting attention and calling out to all who would listen. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”  John the Baptist, a voice crying out in the wilderness, was sent by God to prepare the way for the Lord. He declared the message of repentance to all status groups. No one was exempt, not even the most religious of the day.

The Message of John the Baptist

The crowds flocked to hear this locust and honey eating eccentric who dressed in rough camel skins held tight by a leather belt. Many responded to his message by confessing their sins and being baptized in the Jordan River. But there were others, including many religious leaders, who snubbed the message and bristled at John’s boldness in calling them out.

John taught that it was not enough to have the right genealogy, social position or outward facade. The malady of sin corrupted all people and true repentance would only bear fruit as it came from the heart. In baptizing true penitents with water, John explained that One more powerful than he was coming. This One would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire. The incredible blessing of an indwelling Holy Spirit had never before been experienced by mankind and it would become possible through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ Baptism and the Father’s Proclamation

One day while John preached and baptized in the River Jordan Jesus arrived on the scene. Much to John’s discomfiture, Jesus asked to be baptized himself. This seemed contradictory to John who recognized the sinless nature of God’s Son. But John consented at Jesus’ insistence. Jesus’s baptism represented what He had come to earth to do – take man’s sin upon Himself and suffer death in their stead in order to provide the salvation they needed.  Upon coming up out of the water a dove descended and a Voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”

And so Jesus began His earthly ministry. The way had been prepared by a faithful messenger. The call to repentance and the need for a Savior became clear for the people of John the Baptist’s day. Now it was up to each and every one to choose their response.

A Personal Call to Repentance

These same tidings are also appropriate for us today. The Savior has come and calls you to repent and receive His priceless gift. So don’t ignore the message and leave it unopened in your Spam folder. Make sure you open your heart and receive God’s blessing of salvation in Jesus today.

Love,

Mama

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