A Man in the Wilderness - John the Baptist
During the years while Jesus was living in Narareth, life went on as usual in the land of Palestine. Many still watched and waited for the coming of their Messiah. People who know Jesus as He grew up must have recognized that He lived a holy life, and was set apart for a special work for God.
Thirty years went by after the angel’s message to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. This had been the first message from God for four hundred years. In all this time there had been no prophets raised up to bring them word from God. The whole chosen race was unhappy because the land was not their own. They were a captive nation with Roman rulers and many Roman soldiers stationed in their land. They longed for someone to deliver them from the Roman rule.
Then one day word spread through all the land of Judea, “A prophet has arisen. Let us go and hear him.” Many people hurried from the cities and villages, eager to hear a word from God. Instead of finding a prophet in their great temple, they found him in the wilderness, in the great open spaces between the cities. He was roughly dressed in clothes made from camel’s hair, and he wore a leather belt. He was strong and rugged looking. His name was John. He had been sent by God, John 1:6.
He stood up and preached boldly to the people. He had been sent by God on a special errand, to announce the coming of the Redeemer who was Jesus Christ. Great crowds of people gathered to hear him. John called to them in his strong voice, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make His paths straight. The King is coming, get ready for Him! Turn from your sins, and make your hearts right!”
The people listened and many believed his message. Some said, “Surely he is the one, our Messiah, the One promised to us.” But John said, “No, I am sent just to tell you that One mightier than I is coming, One who is so much greater than I that I am not worthy even to tie His shoes. Prepare for His coming, and turn from your sins.”
As the people listened to John’s words, they know God was speaking to them. Many of them said, “We have sinned against God. We are not ready for the coming of our King. What shall we do?” Those who were sorry for their sins, and were willing to turn from them, were baptized in the Jordan river.
Among the crowds who came to John to be baptized were those from long distances. Day after day they flocked to hear him tell of the One who was to come. Many were baptized to show they were sorry for their sins and would turn away from them.