John the Baptist Prepares the Way

Messianic Age

English Standard Version Chapter 3

3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

make his paths straight.’ ”

What do you think the people heard when John preached his message and said repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand? 3 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mal 3.

Our Bible tells us that John was preparing the way for Israel’s Messiah. Matthew says the way of the Lord. Once again we should consider what the people were expecting. The chosen people (Jews) did not feel that they would be judged the same as the Gentile. John was a significant leader of a well known religious movement. When John preached to the Jews about repentance and Baptism we can see that it had an effect on the Jew. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 3:7–10. How would you categorize people in the world? This is a judgmental question but don’t condemn me just yet, please! What I am wanting to lean into is the word love. Would you say John loved the Jew, for which he himself was a Jew? Yes John called the Jews who came to repent a Brood of vipers (snakes), but did he hate them? Love requires truth, doesn’t it? In order to tell people truth one must know truth. Can we assume that John knew the truth, or does the Bible give us a better understanding of John’s knowledge of the Messiah? 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 1:41–44. So what is love? John tells us that one is coming that is much greater; one who Baptizes with Spirit and fire. This Baptism joins together Grace (Redeeming Love) and righteous fear. 7  Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Pr 3:7. In closing, love speaks truth. Truth is found in Jesus. 8  It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Pr 3:8.