03/21/2019

Matthew 3:1-6

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ² “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ³ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
    make his paths straight.’”

⁴ Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, ⁶ and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

John the Baptist is a prominent and from Biblical fact an important person. But if you look at the gospel story the whole account of John could be left out and nothing would be missed. It becomes important when it is put in the context of the prophetic presentation of the Christ. John does three things.

1. He fulfills prophecy. These put Jesus in both history and prophecy in the time in which he lived. This is the work of an inspired book. John is not only necessary but important in this inspired account.

2. It places Jesus in a particular historic moment. As a real person He was a cousin of John but not a friend or perhaps as it appears He had never met him. It was a time of great freedom of travel, worship, and industry. At the same time the ruler could have someone executed at a whim.

3. John and his family were testimonies to the faithful who remained in Israel. When God said to the prophet He would have His seven thousand, He still had them. John's contribution which included his life was significant only to this account until eternity.