The Deliverer Is Coming

Mark 8:1-8

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

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

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

 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  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.  John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.  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.  I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John the Baptist knew the deal from the very beginning. He would preach repentance and salvation. He would have many followers. But he was just a messenger.  He was NOT the man. He knew, and lived so that others might know, that the Deliverer (Jesus the Christ)  was on the way. Today it is my prayer that I will live in such a way that others will understand that the Messiah came to deliver us from sin and death. The Messiah came to bring peace to our hearts and to our world. This is our season of anticipation. Our Deliverer is coming! It is up to each us to prepare the way of the LORD this Christmas season. The celebration of the coming of the Babe of Bethlehem is only 9 days away. Let's get busy, so that the world may know!

Jesus- the only hope for me is you- and YOU alone!