Thursday
The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way – a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people in Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. After this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
(Mark 1:1-8, NIV)
In addition to the birth announcement of the angels and the bold testimonies of Zechariah, Mary, and Simeon, the Gospels record the preparatory work of Jesus’ “advance man,” John the Baptist. John, in fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah’s words, has the task of preparing “the way for the Lord.” John’s message is one of repentance and a warning that judgment is coming. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2). Although he baptizes with water for repentance, he puts his listeners on notice that the Messiah will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11), a familiar Old Testament reference to God’s judgment. “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into his barn and burning the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12).
Jesus’ first words recorded by Mark are very similar to John the Baptist’s message: “The time has come,” he says. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). The promised Messiah, baptized in the Jordan River by John and anointed by the Holy Spirit, is declared by God in a voice from heaven as “my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mark. 1:11).
The announcement concerning the Kingdom of God is a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. This is what believing Jews have been waiting for. The gospel of salvation that will guide them “into the path of peace,” as Zechariah declared, is now available because of the presence of the Son of God on earth.
Prayer
Almighty God, we thank you for the bold testimony of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for your son. We rejoice in the good news of the Kingdom of God and ask that you will cleanse our hearts to prepare us for citizenship in this new community. Amen.