John the Baptist Prepared The Way For Jesus

Topic: Preparation
Passage: Mark 1:1–8

June 11, 2021

Commentary

Mark opens this gospel by explaining how John the Baptist was divinely appointed by God to prepare the way for Jesus as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Mal. 3:1 & Isa. 40:3). John was a rugged prophet from the wilderness and a fearless preacher. Large crowds were coming to hear John and to be baptized by him (v. 5). His baptism implied that the person had repented of sin and had turned to God for cleansing. He explained that there was One coming that was much greater than he and while he baptized with water, the coming One would baptize with the Holy Spirit (v. 8).  Why was it that John made such a great impact upon his nation? His message was effective because:
  1. He was a man who lived his message. Not only his words, but also his whole life was a testimony of what he believed.
  2. He was confronting them with a decision that they knew in their heart they ought to make. That message was to repent.
  3. He was completely humble. His own verdict on himself was that he was not fit for the duty of a slave. John asked nothing for himself but everything for the Christ whom he proclaimed.
  4. He pointed to something and someone beyond himself. He told men that while water could cleanse a man’s body, the Holy Spirit could cleanse his life and heart.

John’s one aim was not to occupy the center of the stage himself, but to try to prepare people to connect with the one who was greater and stronger than he.

Application

There were several people who were the John the Baptist in my life, “who prepared the way” for me to trust Jesus and I thank the Lord for placing them in my life? My mother prayed for me, my brother was an example and the chaplain on the troop ship who shared the gospel message drew the net.

Mark 1:1– 8 (NET)

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way,

3 the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.’”

4 In the wilderness John the baptizer began preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 People from the whole Judean countryside and all of Jerusalem were going out to him, and he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 6 John wore a garment made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “One more powerful than I am is coming after me; I am not worthy to bend down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”