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John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— 3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water; he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Jesus Announces the Good News

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

 

These verses have so much good news about the unveiling of Jesus that we could reflect on many different themes. When I read these verses today, I was immediately struck by the fact that God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus. I know that this is obvious, but it struck me that many times in our lives God sends someone ahead of us that prepares our way.

In Lutheran Men’s Ministry and in Man in the Mirror Ministries, men are charged to help other men by being a mentor or a Christian witness to help another man when they are in trouble or just need a sounding board. Christ came to establish an earthly and holy relationship with us. God acknowledges that we cannot live sinless, but he still loves us and he shows us that love and establishes our value to him.

So, as I reflect on these verses, I ask God to help me pass along the good news that John heralded, Jesus fulfilled and we need today and for evermore to all people God puts in my path.

Let us pray: Father thankyou for the gift of Grace that Jesus died and brought to us. Help me to be a light in this confusing world to others that you send across my path. Amen.

Robert Carrothers

robert.carrothers@gmail.com