Appearance of the prophet

Since the last prophet of the Old Testament, Malachi, more than 300 years had passed without any prophets. However, the people of Israel held an expectation that a prophet like Moses would appear in the last days (ref. Deut. 18:15). (1) When John appeared in the wilderness, the people recognized that a prophet had come and gathered around him. The wilderness was traditionally a place where God’s word descended, a place to hear God’s voice. (2) John’s appearance served as the prelude to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, just as it had been prophesied in the Old Testament (Ex. 23:20, Mal. 3:1, Isa. 40:3). (3) John is “the voice of one calling out in the wilderness.” His mission is to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. John the Baptist, through his very existence, served as a message. As Christians, what kind of message are we sending to others through our presence and our way of life? Today, let’s go about our day with an awareness of what it means to live a life that “prepares the way for Jesus.”

John’s message

John preached the “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” This “baptism of repentance” was received as a sign of repentance after turning away from sin. The thinking of the Jews at that time was filled with pride. They believed that when a Gentile converted to Judaism, a purification baptism was necessary, but as descendants of Abraham, they thought it was unnecessary for themselves. John shattered this Jewish pride. He emphasized the urgency of repentance and the importance of bearing fruit as a result. This was a shock therapy from God. There is nothing more wonderful than repentance. Through repentance, we experience the forgiveness of sins and receive peace and blessings. It is necessary not only for unbelievers but for Christians as well. If you think that there is no need for you to repent because you are a Christian, that is a mistaken sense of security. Let’s remember to confess sins, the moment they are revealed, and keep hold the joy of walking with the living Christ. God is waiting for us to approach Him with a repentant heart.