The ministry of John the Baptist (Matthew 3: 1â13)
There is an immediate connection made with the prophecy of Isaiah, who had talked of a messenger â âA voice of one calling in the wildernessâ - who God would send to prepare the way for the coming of the promised MessiahThe word means âthe anointed oneâ. The Messiah is the one believed to be sent by God to be humanityâs saviour. Many Christians believe this person to be Jesus..
This messenger is John the Baptist, who appeared in the desert of Judaea.
Johnâs role was to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. He did this through telling people to repent as the Kingdom of Heaven was near.
Baptism was a Jewish ritual â people were totally immersed in water to symbolise cleansing. Johnâs baptism was a symbol of repentance.
John was a second ElijahA Hebrew prophet who rescued the Jewish faith from being corrupted by worship of the false god Baal. Many Jews believe that Elijah will return to Earth before the coming of the Messiah. . He dressed and acted almost exactly like Elijah. He ate wild locusts and honey, he wore clothes made of camel hair and he had a belt tied around his waist.
John was a forerunner to the Messiah. He said, âI baptise you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.â