Voice in the Wilderness

John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah’s arrival, the herald of the Good News of the Kingdom of God – Mark 1:4-8.

All four gospel accounts apply the same passage from the Book of Isaiah to John the Baptist, the messenger who summoned men to repent “for the remission of sins” in preparation for the Messiah’s arrival in Israel. John is identified as the forerunner expected before the “Day of the LORD” - “The voice of one crying, in the wilderness, prepare the way of the LORD” - (Isaiah 40:3-5).

John’s activities in many ways paralleled those of the Prophet Elijah. Like the Prophet, John was “clothed with camel's hair and a leather belt,” and he likewise spent time in the “wilderness” - (2 Kings 1:1-8, Malachi 3:1-3, 4:5, Mark 9:12-13, Luke 1:17).

[Photo by Andrew Coelho on Unsplash]

The Greek noun translated as “repentance” in the Gospel of Mark points to a “change of mind.” The call was for more than remorse over past misdeeds. The “remission of sins” required a deliberate change of mind and reorientation of life. The term “remission” in both Greek and English means to release, discharge, or remit something.

In Scripture, “remission” is applied to the “discharge” of debts and divorce decrees. Repentance discharges the stain of sin and releases the penitent man or woman from its dominion, obligations, and curse.

• “John came baptizing in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judaea and all they of Jerusalem; and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and he had a leathern girdle about his loins, and did eat locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, There is coming after me he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”

John summoned the nation of Israel to repent, and the crowds that heard him included Pharisees, Sadducees, and priests, the religious leadership of the Jewish nation. Representatives from all levels of Jewish society were present and heard the call to repent before it was too late - (Matthew 3:6, John 1:19).

John’s preaching and his actions pointed to the coming Messiah. Jesus was the one who brought the Good News of the Kingdom of God. John’s baptism prepared hearts for his arrival and message.

John contrasted himself with the coming Messiah in three ways - Might, Worth, and Mode of Baptism. The Greek adjective translated as “mightier” is used elsewhere to describe Jesus as the “mighty one” who bound the “strong man” - (Mark 3:22-30).

John described himself as unworthy “to unloose the strap of Christ’s sandals.” In first-century society, removing another man’s footwear was a menial task normally assigned to slaves and domestic servants.

BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT

Thus, John’s baptism was preparatory, not final. He baptized sinners in water, but the coming Messiah would “baptize them in the Holy Spirit.” The Gift of the Spirit was an expectation of the “Last Days,” the “Promise of the Father,” and one of the “blessings of Abraham.” It was fundamental to the promised New Covenant and God’s people - (Acts 2:38-39, Galatians 2:14, Isaiah 44:3, Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Jesus did not abandon water baptism, but his baptism added something new and significant, the baptism in the Spirit; therefore, his “baptism” was superior to anything previously experienced, including the baptism of John.

John set the stage for the public unveiling of the Messiah and prepared the “way” for the Herald of the Kingdom, Jesus of Nazareth, the one who would baptize his followers in the Holy Spirit “and fire.”

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SEE ALSO:

• The Salvation of Yahweh - (‘Jesus’ means ‘Yahweh saves.’ In the man from Nazareth, the salvation promised by the God of Israel arrived in all its glory)

• Beginning of the Good News - (The promised Kingdom of God arrived in the ministry of Jesus the Messiah, commencing with his baptism – Mark 1:1-3)

• David's Son - (Jesus is the son of David, the heir to the Messianic Throne, the beloved Son of God, and the Suffering Servant of Yahweh)

• The Promise of the Father - (With the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the blessings for all nations promised to Abraham commenced)