“Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2 ESV
I trimmed, or should say cut down, my wife’s rose bushes a few months ago. ‘Cut down’ is more appropriate, because there wasn’t much left of them when I got through. Having done the same thing a few years ago the rose bushes came back better than ever. But this year, I thought I had gone too far, they’ll never come back, but they did. We’ll see next spring having survive the winter how many roses reappear.
Pruning shears are used to trim off dead or living parts of a plant so they stay healthy and produce at a greater pace. They are also used to cut out unnecessary parts including foreign objects such as weeds that have infiltrated around the plant. Such was my case. Being so determined to eradicate those weeds once and for all, I nearly destroyed my wife’s rose bushes. But such was not the case. The weeds had to go. The rose bushes suffered more than the usual yearly trim as I worked towards the root of the problem.
The Lord’s pruning shears work the same way in the lives of Christians. Sometimes we need more than yearly trim. We need a weeding out of the foreign objects in our lives. These are the things we accept into our lives, allowing them to grow by watering and feeding them with the elements of the world around us. Soon they begin to choke out the vitality of our Christian life as the values of sin and the world take over. The Lord will take His pruning shears and cut us down until we think there’s nothing left of us, but if we accept it from His gracious and merciful hand repenting, He will bring us back better than ever.
“They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, ‘All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’” John 8:7 NLT
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The story of a woman caught in adultery recorded in John’s gospel is a very familiar one with Christians and non-Christians alike. It reveals the hypocrisy of certain religious leaders and those who assumed the role of being one up on everyone else on morality. The main point made by many is Jesus’s words, “let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Admittedly there is not one of us who is able to throw that first stone, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Rom.3:23 nlt) That lesson should be applied to every Christian in our daily walk in the world in which we live. But there is also another point that lies underneath the surface of the immediate that reveals the foundation for that exchange with Jesus.
The law in which the accusers wanted evoked would have been the Old Testament law of adultery. But certain facts of the case were not presented in their entirety as only one of the participants was presented. This didn’t seem to bother those who brought the woman for their own interpretation of God’s law. The fact is they weren’t as pious towards the carrying out the law as they were about trying to set up a trap for Jesus. They cared nothing about the law, but only the response from the one who came as a fulfillment of the law.
The religious leaders brought to Jesus a woman, minus the man, caught in the act of adultery. Their intent was to corner Jesus into deciding on whether or not to stone her according to the Law. Jesus essentially ignored them knowing of their deception. If He agreed to stone her, Jesus would be looked upon as having no forgiveness or compassion. If He did not comply with the Law it would appear Jesus was not who He said He was, the Son of God. They did not give up but kept on asking Him. They wanted Jesus to answer them either way to discredit Him. Jesus was interfering with their authority and their way of life.
There are those today who view Jesus as interfering with their authority and their lives. They demand an answer to the laws they perceive as right and just in their own eyes. They view the commands of God found in scripture as irrelevant today. They have gathered stones in their hands and are willing to throw the first stone, believing they have no sin. But tragically their aim is at God and His Word for interfering with their way of life. Be careful not to pick up stones.
“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.’” Exodus 14:13 NIV
Is there a sin in your life that you just can’t seem to get rid of? It keeps recurring as if you have never dealt with it before. Could it be that you don’t want to be free from it? As R. C. Sproul use to say, “We sin because it’s pleasurable.” But deep down it our souls, if we are honest with ourselves and truly love God, we know that God hates sin and it is not exactly pleasurable with Him. So we need to get rid of it and the sooner the better.
The children of Israel were in slavery for four hundred years by the Egyptians. They were forced to comply with all the demands made on them. Physical hard work to the point of torture in satisfying their task masters was the bulk of the demands. Israel longed to be freed from the never ending struggle of the helplessness they felt in being enslaved by the Egyptians. The Lord did not forget about His children in Egypt and miraculously delivered them as recorded in the Old Testament book of Exodus. As they were on their way to the Promised Land, once again they were being pursued by the subjects of their past struggles, the Egyptians have returned.
Similar to Israel being chased by their slave masters and now backed into a corner, or the Red Sea as we know it, Christians at times find themselves in the same place. Recurring sin is as if we never left the bondage of sin we were in before coming to know the Lord. The truth is, we have a sin nature and will continue to sin until we have our glorified bodies in eternity. But to allow the recurring sin to have its hold on us by not letting go completely is giving the green light for all kinds of temptation to creep in and take us captive once again. Give it to the Lord and He will make a path for you and see you through to the other side with your sins buried in the deepest sea. It’s time to get rid of it.
“Jerusalem, once so full of people, is now deserted. She who was once great among the nations now sits alone like a widow. Once the queen of all the earth, she is now a slave.” Lamentations 1:1 NLT
Repeated warnings that are not observed will end in disaster. In fact, failure to obey any warning could result in some type of misfortune. However, failing to heed multiple warnings you’re heard many times will lead you down a path in which there is no return. If you are able to return, life may never be the same. That is why we have warning signs and guardrails in life to keep us safe by obeying those‘ danger ahead’ signs.
The Bible is not just a rule book with an endless list of do’s and don’ts. It is God’s Word communicated to us. Within its pages are examples on how to live and how not to live; what pleases God and what displeases Him, the punishment for sin and the forgiveness of sin, the repentant sinner and the unrepentant sinner. The Bible may also be referred to as God’s love story to us. His wonderful plan of salvation for all who believe in Christ is what His story is all about, but the Bible also gives it to us straight concerning our unrepentant sin ignoring His warning signs and going our own way.
The people of Judah found out the hard way what happens when you ignore repeated warnings from the Lord. Over the centuries warnings were issued to the Jewish people, some in which the people repented but they always went back to their old ways. A point was reached in their continual sin that no words of warnings from prophets the Lord sent were ever acknowledged. They reached a point of no return. The Lord had the city of Jerusalem destroyed and the people taken captive to Babylon. The prophet Jeremiah witnessed all this in real time and lamented over their sin and the destruction of Jerusalem.
The Lord is gracious and full of mercy. He will give us warning signs on what to avoid in this life and how we should live. The Lord gives plenty of opportunities to repent and turn back to Him, but there will a point where continual defiance and being disobedient will result in severe consequences and sorrow of unrepented sin to bring us back to Him. When you begin to see repeated warning signs, it’s time to pay attention before you go over the cliff.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT
The subject of transparency is a well-recognized topic particularly in the world of politics. The truth of the matter is, many who claim to be transparent usually turn out to be not so transparent. Transparency defines as, ‘the quality of being done in an open way without secrets’ is far from what the general public observes. Perhaps there are good intentions on the campaign trail to present oneself as transparent, but the thought of exposing compromising positions or a deficiency while in office is considered a matter to be kept close to the vest.
Politicians are not alone in abusing transparency. Every one of us have a problem with being transparent, totally transparent. Many of us have fine admirable qualities such as honesty, sympathy, a non-judgmental character, caring for others, selflessness, and a loving attitude. While those qualities may be seen most of the time, there are circumstances when one or two of our admirable qualities are overshadowed by something we try to cover up-and if exposed they would cause a great deal embarrassment. It is at these moments we become non-transparent, thinking we have covered up our deficiencies and maintained our integrity.
But as hard as we try to remain transparent while covering up a deficiency or sin in our lives, eventually it becomes known if not dealt with honestly. We may be able to cover up our sin for a time before others, but we can never cover up anything from God who knows and sees all. Hebrews 4:13 says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” (nlt)
God is aware of our innermost thoughts and desires; we cannot hide them from God. We are capable of covering up our sin before others and even to ourselves as we refer to them as hidden sins and no big deal. But the Word of God has a way of reminding us that it is a big deal “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Heb.4:12 nlt) If we are serious about eradicating our hidden sins, we need to be immersed in the God’s Word allowing Him through His Word to expose our innermost thoughts and desires and be transparent before Him.
“But God made them male and female from the beginning of creation. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” Mark 10:6-9 NLT
We are halfway through this year, 2025, and a little more than halfway through our study in the book of Mark, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Going through an entire book forces you to cover every topic within its pages. Some are controversial and subject to debate, especially among Christians, but to skip over these topics would be noticeable and negligent in not presenting all of God’s Word for it is for our benefit. This week we have such a topic, ‘divorce.’ When reading and studying the Bible it is vital to know who the author is. God, the Holy Spirit spoke His Word through men to be recorded for us to know Him, His message of salvation, and how to live our lives. There are many passages in the Bible that are hard to deal with, but they are God’s Words for us live by. As we unpack these difficult passages a clearer understanding will develop with the Spirit’s help. He will guide us into truth and a deeper understanding of God’s love for us. We have learned much over the last six months listening to Jesus teach His disciples in various subjects. Now we will hear Jesus’ teaching on divorce, His Words on the subject.
I realize there are many who are reading this who have gone through the tragedy and heartbreak of a divorce. Living in a broken world, the effects of sin touch each of lives in different ways. Those who know the Lord as savior will find comfort in the God of all Comfort. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” (2Cor.1:3 esv) Be assured God is a merciful, loving God who comforts us in our time of need. Whatever your circumstances, the Lord God has not abandoned you. He is right there, the God of all comfort, especially in a divorce.
We begin with a familiar scene. Jesus is once again surrounded by a crowd of people who have gathered to hear Him teach. And once again, the Pharisees show up with another attempt to discredit Jesus. They ask Jesus a question in hopes of turning the crowd against Him making it easier to accuse Him later in their attempts to have Jesus put to death. They asked Him, “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?” (Mk.10:2 nlt) It was the divorce of Herod and his remarriage to Herodias John the Baptist spoke against that put him in jail and eventually lose his life. Jesus was in Herod’s ruling district, so this was a perfect set up to catch Jesus saying a word against an unlawful divorce. The Pharisees would then interject Herod’s name as an example. But, as always, Jesus was not going to play their games.
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Jesus answered them by asking them a question. “What did Moses say in the law about divorce?” (Mk.10:3 nlt) Jesus’ ground rules were, what does Scripture say? They replied Moses permitted it. A man was allowed to write a certificate of divorce and send his wife away. What the Pharisees failed to include in their answer were the conditions of Moses’ permission. The Old Testament reference for permission of divorce is found in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. It is important to remember, the Mosaic Law did not command but permitted divorce, and the Pharisees knew this. Divorce was a reality, and permission was granted to protect the wife’s reputation, along with securing women’s rights, and to regulate remarriage. A man had to affirm the reason for the divorce. This would free the wife of suspected wrongdoing or immorality if that was not the case. She would then be free to remarry being released from her husband. There were two schools of thought among the Pharisees concerning divorce in Jesus’ day. The liberal wing, those who followed Hillel, favored that a man could divorce his wife for any reason. Shammai said only adultery was sufficient grounds for a divorce. Now we listen to what Jesus has to say.
“But Jesus responded, ‘He (Moses) wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts. But God made them male and female from the beginning of creation. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.’” (Mk.10:5-9 nlt)
Jesus doesn’t answer according to tradition or to the current culture of His days. He answers through the Word of God explaining God’s intentions from the beginning. Jesus first calls out their hard hearts. Moses’ words weren’t a command but a concession because of their spiritual condition. It was never part of God’s original plan to consider divorce. Jesus goes back to the Old Testament book of Genesis and God’s creation order. (In the beginning male and female, distinctive beings, the man and the woman leave their families, are married, and now are one in the eyes of God.) What God has joined together let no one split apart. This is God’s creation order to be maintained. When followed, a lot of trouble and heartache are avoided.
Later, the disciples brought up the subject again as they usually do when they were alone with Him. Jesus answered, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.” (Mk.10:11-12 nlt) During this time, the Jewish practice of divorce was initiated and settled by the husband, not a court. His written letter of divorce did not release him from God’s law of marriage. So, they were still married, and adultery would ensue for both parties after the fact.
Jesus did note an exception for divorce. Mark did not record it in his book; however, Matthew does in his gospel by quoting Jesus. “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Mt.19:9 niv) The apostle Paul also notes an exception in writing to the church in Corinth. “(But if the husband or wife who isn’t a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.)” (1Cor.7:15 nlt)
Divorce is a hard subject to address, even more so for one has gone through it. The Lord God has given us His life principles to live by in this sinful world. We don’t always follow His instructions and at times fall into a bad situation. But our God is an all-forgiving God bestowing mercy and grace to all who come to Him in their time of need. Remember He is the God of all comfort who will see you through whatever your circumstances you are in when you surrender to Him, even in a divorce.
The prophet Ezekiel prophesied to the exiled Jews who were in Babylon before the destruction of Jerusalem. Ezekiel himself was taken captive in the second invasion by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C… His message was ‘repentance is the way to life.’ Ezekiel prophesied the future destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem was coming. Those who were already in exile would not be going back anytime soon and others would be joining them after the third invasion of Judah. So, Ezekiel’s message was to repent.
Ezekiel relayed the Lord’s message of judgment upon them for their past sins, urging them to repent as they are already in exile. “Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ez.18:31 nasb) The Lord God did not want any individual of the house of Israel to die in their sins, but to repent and get a new heart.
The Lord God does not want anyone alive today to die in their sins, that includes you and me. The Lord says He takes no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies. Here, He is referring to those dying without receiving forgiveness for their sins. Therefore, God is telling us as He told Israel, ‘Repent and live.’ To repent and live means to give up your old way of living which may lead to an early physical death, and more importantly to save you from eternal punishment to eternal life. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2Pt.3:9 nasb) Yes, repentance is the way to life!
“But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation.” Ezra 3:12 NLT
The older some people get, the more they long for the ‘good old days.’ Of course, not everyone does this, but most of us like to at least reminisce about a time in the past. Our minds may recall the past perfectly, especially those with significant meaning attached to them. The sights and sounds of those events are etched forever in our mind. Trying to recreate those special moments sometimes work out, but other times they fail to capture what it once was. These sad occurrences often happen when we go back to a place that has changed due to our carelessness, mismanagement, or our outright sin.
The older folks from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin experienced a super letdown when the foundation was laid for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple. After seventy years of captivity, the Jewish people were allowed to return to their homeland with the purpose of rebuilding the Temple that was destroyed and to reestablish worship with God. The original Temple that was destroyed was Solomon’s Temple with its magnificent splendor in structure, size, and beautiful ornamental arrangements. It was a sight to behold. The destruction of the Temple along with the people being taken captive were due to their continued disobedience to the Lord God. But God in His faithfulness promised they would return after seventy years to the place from where they were taken. They would rebuild and worship God once again in Jerusalem, but it would no longer be the same.
You may be at a place in your life where God has restored you after a period of bad times. You may be back in fellowship with Him, but you keep going back to those ‘good old days.’ Perhaps it’s regret or guilt you just can’t seem to shake, or the bitterness you refuse to let go of. Whatever the case is, know that God is making all things new. “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” (Is.43:19 nlt) The Lord forgives us of our past sins and will restore us as we confess and repent. He puts us a new path looking forward to His future blessings. Rejoice God hasn’t forgotten you and see His leading to something new as you wipe away the tears from your eyes.
“For Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.” Mark 6:20 NLT
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This week in Sunday’s Biblical Insights we have a story not for the squeamish, the brutal beheading of John the Baptist. The tragic event will unfold against the backdrop of bewilderment, superstition, immorality, resentment, and neglecting the Spirit. The gruesome act against John the Baptist is matched by Herod Antipas’ cutting away his soul by not responding to the conflict within himself. Human beings created in the image of God have an innate instinct to know right from wrong. When the spirit convinces us our way of living is wrong and we do nothing about it, we set ourselves up for a tragic end, even hurting other people in the process. Herod Antipas neglected the spirit, and it cost John the Baptist his life, and cost Herod his eternal soul.
We begin with the breaking news around Israel of reports of a man performing miracles of healing, casting out demons, causing concern among officials in the mixed reactions of the people. It didn’t take long for the news to reach the ears of Herod, who was the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Herod’s first reaction to the news about Jesus was “John, the man I beheaded, has come back from the dead.” (Mk.6:16 nlt) Being riddled with a guilty conscience and prone to superstition, Herod thought John the Baptist had come back to haunt him. Some of the people agreed with Herod’s assumption about Jesus. Many others thought Jesus was Elijah who was prophesized to appear before the Messiah would appear. Others supposed Jesus to be another one of the many prophets who had come in the tradition of the Old Testament, and still others presumed Him to be another Moses who had come to lead the people.
The seed to John the Baptist’s demise was planted by John himself as he continually called out Herod Antipas for his infidelity. He not only put Herod on notice, but Herodias as well, who left her husband for an adulterous affair with Herod. In fact, the whole Herodian dynasty was the subject of John’s continual rebukes. Herodias married her half Uncle Philip who was Herod Antipas’ brother. Herod was married to the daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia, but divorced her and sent her away. John’s rebuke was straight to the point, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.” (Mk.6:18 nlt)
Herodias was filled with resentment towards John and wanted him killed for his non-stop criticism of her relationship with Herod. Herod had John arrested and put in prison to satisfy Herodias, but more importantly to protect John. It was here where Herod and John had more hard conversations. Herod respected John, knowing he was a good, decent, and holy man. Scripture says Herod was greatly disturbed (perplexed) when he spoke with him. The Greek word for ‘perplexed’ is ‘aporeō’ meaning ‘doubt’ or ‘to be without a way.’ Something triggered Herod’s conscience that he kept going back to John and enjoying the time with him. John, no doubt, left Herod with internal moral conflict.
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The grudge against John the Baptist Herodias held did not subside. She cunningly and patiently waited for the right time to put a decisive plan in place to kill John by having Herod order it himself. The occasion was a birthday party for Herod with his high ranking civil and military officers in attendance. Herodias’ daughter performed an exotic suggestive dance before Herod and his guests. It was highly unprecedented for a princess to perform such a dance but was reserved for servant girls to perform. Herod’s moral lapse from his drinking and the dance led him to offer a pledge to Herodias’ daughter, “Ask me for anything you like, and I will give it to you. I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom” (Mk.6:22-23 nlt) Of course giving away half the kingdom is a figure of speech not to be taken seriously, but Herodias’ plan was about to be signed, sealed, and delivered.
“She went out and asked her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ Her mother told her, ‘Ask for the head of John the Baptist!’” (Mk.6:25 nlt) The girl callously came back and said, “I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!” (Mk.6:25 nlt) It was now too late now for Herod to change his mind. It would have been better to give her half the kingdom. With all his guests looking on, Herod would not refuse her and immediately sent an executioner to carry out his order to behead John the Baptist. We question why Herod would go through with her very savage request. Several reasons come into play. An oath was considered binding and unbreakable in those days, no matter how cruel or unsensible. Again, his guests just witnessed the dance and the pledge he made to his satisfaction. And perhaps a bigger reason was Herod’s failure to allow the spirit to work in him as he spoke with John many times.
Herod Antipas, being grieved deeply regretted his actions of promising to give Herodias’ daughter anything she asked for and then carrying out the request. Spur of the moment decisions are never good, even worse when our heart and mind is not right with God but centered on our own lusts and desires. Herod lived such a self-centered life, but God gave him plenty of opportunities hearing John the Baptist’ rebukes to correct the wrongs in his life. May we not neglect the spirit when He points out anything in our lives that is not pleasing to Him. We can be sure God will make it known to us because it displeases Him and He wants us to make it right. Don’t neglect the spirit as Herod did but listen to His voice when it comes to you from wherever and whoever.
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?
Word for the Soul 