John the Baptist – Word for the Soul

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” Mark 1:3 NLT

This first Sunday of the new year in Biblical Insights we will start a study in the gospel of Mark. Mark, the second book in the New Testament and one of the four gospels, begins with a simple introduction, “This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” (Mk.1:1 nlt) It may be simple, short and to the point, but that’s the point. So, there is no misunderstanding, this book is about the good news of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The Zondervan NASB Study Bible notes, “The good news is that God has provided salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Mark is more concise than the other gospel writers and focuses more on Jesus’ actions than His teachings. Although through His actions there is much teaching to be learned. Mark’s gospel puts emphasis on His servanthood while confirming His deity. His humanity is detailed throughout the book, and He is presented as the suffering servant. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk.10:45 nlt) It is the good news of Jesus Christ.

Mark skips over the genealogy of Jesus and story of His birth jumping right into the start of Jesus’ ministry with John the Baptist preparing the way. “He (John) is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mk.1:3 nlt) John was the messenger who was prophesized would come ahead of the Messiah and prepare the way for Him. In ancient days king’s envoys were sent ahead to clear the roads for safe passage and to announce the arrival of the king. John was preparing the hearts and minds of the people of Jesus’ arrival to fulfill His Father’s plan of salvation for them. It is in this same manner that we prepare our hearts and minds by clearing the road of any debris or distractions that will prevent the Holy Spirit from teaching us the Biblical Insights He has for us in this study.

John the Baptist’s ministry of preparing the way for Jesus was a call to repentance. That’s a good place for us to start if we are serious about studying God’s Word and growing in Him. Confession of sin and turning away from it will clear and purify our hearts and minds, making us ready to receive His Word. John preached his message of ‘repentance baptism’, baptism accompanied by repentance, in the arid wilderness near the Dead Sea. People were coming out to him when they heard of his ministry. “All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.” (Mk.1:5 nlt) There hasn’t been a prophet in Israel for 400 years and you could imagine the interest of the Jews to see this prophet. John certainly looked the part with his clothing of camels’ hair and his diet, he was a replicate of the Old Testament prophets.

Meeting John in the wilderness was reminiscent of the Jewish wanderings in Exodus. The wilderness was the meeting place for God and His people in the Old Testament. We need to be reminded of that next time we find ourselves in a wilderness. God loves to meet His people in their wilderness. He will meet us when we are ready to meet Him after exhausting all our options. God will not leave us there but will draw us out as we turn to Him.

John’s announcement was, “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.” (Mk.1:7 nlt) John could not forgive sin, nor was that his intention. His message was to lead people to the one who could forgive sin. John stated he only baptized people with water, clearly no saving value. Referring to Jesus he said, “…. but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” (Mk.1:8b nlt) John the Baptist’s ministry was one of confession, repentance and righteous living, followed up by baptism. He heralded the Messiah’s coming and prepared people waiting for His arrival.

Jesus’ ministry was providing salvation by coming to earth, living a perfect life, dying on the cross for forgiveness of sin, and conquering death by rising from the dead to ensure eternal life for all who believe accepting Him as savior. No wonder John uttered that he wasn’t even worthy as a slave to untie His sandals. Next week we’ll see the one who John was preparing the way for. Have you cleared the road for Him?

Bible Studies

“Zechariah’s Song-The Benedictus” 5 Songs of Hope for Advent

December 15, 2024December 13, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.” Luke 1:76 ESV

The story of the birth of Christ has several intriguing storylines and all of them true. There are some ordinary people who play a significant role in God’s plan in bringing His Son into the world. This week we look at the husband of Elisabeth who gave us our first song of hope for advent two weeks ago. His name is Zechariah, one of 18,000 priests of that day, and who had been speechless the entire time of his wife’s pregnancy for not believing that Elizabeth would have a child in their old age. Over the course of nine months, I’m sure Zechariah had done some deep thinking, perhaps second guessing himself for his response to the angel. The angel had told him his son’s name would be John and that he would be great in the sight of the Lord turning peoples’ hearts back to the God, and that John would be the forerunner of the Messiah. This ordinary prophet will burst out in praise to the Lord God for His work in providing a way of salvation for all people.

Zechariah’s song is called ‘The Benedictus’ just as in Mary’s ‘The Magnificat’ the first word is translated from the Latin Vulgate. In this case the opening word is ‘Benedictus’ meaning ‘Praise be’ or ‘Blessed be.’ The song occurs eight days after Elizabeth had given birth. The occasion was the circumcision of the child as required by the Lord.

It was the custom to name a child at their circumcision, and most likely be named after someone in the family. Family members and friends tried to persuade Zechariah and Elizabeth to name him Zechariah. “And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father.” (Lk.1:59 esv) But of course Mary spoke up and said, ‘“No; he shall be called John.’ And they said to her, ‘None of your relatives is called by this name.’” (Lk.1:60b-61 esv) It’s interesting to note, families didn’t always agree in those days either. When they gestured to Zechariah what name he wanted for the child, Zecheriah wrote on a tablet, ‘His name is John.’ And immediately his mouth was opened, and Zechariah began praising God.

Zechariah’s first words after nine months were filled with praise to God. His silence from speaking could have brought on deep contemplation with God. Unable to speak, listening to everything around him, writing on a tablet, but able to converse with God in silent prayer, Zechariah used this time to connect deeper with his God. We need more quiet moments with God in our day to connect and grow deeper in our relationship with him. The results that await us will be positive as Zechariah has demonstrated.

The fear of the Lord came upon all those present. Reverential awe was displayed as the Lord’s presence was felt in naming this child. The anticipation was high in what this child named ‘John” would turn out to be. His naming outside the traditional norms meant great expectations for him as the hand of the Lord must be upon him.

Zechariah begins his song, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.” (Lk.1:68-69 esv) The occasion as noted above is the birth and circumcision of his son, but the heart and theme of his song is ‘God visiting His people.’ God had visited him and Elisabeth in the birth of their child and now God is about to visit His people with the birth of His Son, the Messiah. Zechariah begins his song with that prophecy. The word ‘horn’ is a symbol of strength and power. Jesus has the power to save. He is a powerful savior able to redeem his people.

God had spoken though the prophets of the Old Testament of Israel being saved from their enemies, but this is much more than that, it is redemption from their ultimate enemy and ours, Satan. Zechariah continues, “to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us.” (Lk.1:72-73 esv) The Lord God made a holy covenant with Abraham, an everlasting covenant with a promise to keep it, the Abrahamic covenant promising salvation by grace. (Gen,12:1-3, 15:18-21, 17:1-21)

Zechariah’s song now turns to his son, the forerunner to the Messiah. “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins.” (Lk.1:76-77 esv) John is the one who was prophesied in the Old Testament as the one coming in the power of Elijah to prepare the way. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” (Mal.4:5-6 esv) One commentary note, ‘John was a prophet of the Most High whereas Jesus is the Son of the Most High.’ John paved the way for the one who has the power to provide salvation.

Zechariah closes with the rising of the ‘Son,’ the light that will come upon those who live in darkness. “because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Zechariah prophesied the sunrise was about to appear bringing light to all who sit in the darkness of sin. Christ was coming into the world ‘to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ Soon the heavenly angels will take over the singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Lk.2:14 esv) And we look at that next week!

Read: Luke 1:57-80 ESV – The Birth of John the Baptist – Now the – Bible Gateway

Bible Studies

“Elizabeth’s Song” 5 Songs of Hope for Advent

December 1, 2024December 1, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’” Luke 1:41-42 ESV

During the next couple of weeks throughout the Advent season we will be looking at 5 songs of hope as recorded in Luke’s gospel on the birth of Christ. Music and particularly songs of praise are all throughout Scripture. Music alone has a way to lift the soul. What better time of year is there than to celebrate with music than the Christmas season. Christmas music will be filling the airwaves, churches, school auditoriums, concert halls, and shopping malls. It can certainly change your mood, mostly for the better, but some might argue with that. These 5 songs of hope for Advent are songs spoken to praise God for the hope He has bestowed upon us in sending His Son for the hope (assurance) we have of salvation.

Our first song this Sunday is ‘Elizabeth’s Song.’ It is not at all lengthy, but rather short and to the point speaking volumes of praise and theological truth. The occasion was Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and Zechariah upon hearing the news of them having their first child. “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Lk.1:42b-45 esv)

Elizabeth was Mary’s older cousin, much older. Zechariah, a priest, was told by an angel of the Lord while he was serving in the Temple burning incense that his wife Elizabeth, who was barren, would have a child in their old age. The angel said his name would be John, and there would be much rejoicing and gladness, “And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Lk.1:16-17 esv) John would be the forerunner of Jesus, the Messiah and John’s cousin. He would lead people to repentance preparing the way for the Lord.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice upon arriving, the Bible says the baby leaped in her womb. Perhaps John was singing his own song meeting his aunt and cousin for the first time. Elizabeth was then filled with the Holy Spirit and started her song about the hope that was to come. ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’ Elizabeth praised Mary’s faith and the child to be born to her. She realized through the Holy Spirit this must be the Messiah, the son of God for she said, “And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk.1:43 esv) Elizabath evidently knew of the prophet Isaiah’s words, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Is.7:14 esv) She was in the presence of her cousin Mary and yes, was impressed that Mary would visit her, but Elizabeth also in the presence of the Messiah, her savior.

Elizabeth’s song of hope introduces the savior who was coming into the world, born of a virgin as prophesized in Scripture. Her own child, John, perhaps also at the influence of the Holy Spirit leaped for joy at the coming savior. Although Elizabeth may not have been able to understand it all, she did realize the blessings she and her husband Zechariah were given and through the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth knew enough to break out in song. It was a song of praise to God and a song of hope for all people in the coming of the Messiah.

Read: Luke 1:5-25, 39-45 ESV – Birth of John the Baptist Foretold – In – Bible Gateway

Tag: John the Baptist

“Clear the road” The Good News of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark

“Zechariah’s Song-The Benedictus” 5 Songs of Hope for Advent

“Elizabeth’s Song” 5 Songs of Hope for Advent