REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND
JOHN’S MESSAGE
In the summer of A.D. 26 God raised up a voice in the wilderness, John the Baptist. Clothed in Camel’s hair wit a leather girdle, John was an unusual person who ate locusts and wild honey while he lived in the wilderness and preached in Judea along the Jordan River. His message was “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand….Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight” (Matt. 3:2, 3). He is identified as fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 40: 3-5.
Luke 3:4
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
KJV
The people knew something unusual was happening because Scripture was being fulfilled right before their very eyes.
Luke 3:6
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
KJV
It is easy to understand why John called the nation to repentance. The Messiah’s kingdom was to be a kingdom of holiness and righteousness, and Israel had been promised a special place and ministry in the kingdom; (they needed to be holy). They were to be a nation of priests (Exo. 19:6; Lev. 11:44). But under the Mosaic covenant it was clearly shown that priests who were defiled could not minister. This nation was defiled by sin and wickedness, and therefore, John was calling for its repentance.
Many people thought that John was the Christ, but he declared that he was not and that One was coming after him who was greater than he. To emphasize this contrast, he said:
Matt 3:11
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
KJV
JOHN’S BAPTISM
There has been much controversy throughout the centuries about baptism, the rite which appears upon the scene in the New Testament without explanation. While baptism was something new, it was not foreign to the Jewish system of thought, for it was related to purifying, as shown by John.
John 3:25-26
25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
KJV
SIRITUAL PURITY SYMBOLIZED BY WASHING:
In the Scriptural as well as traditional background of the Jews at least six different washings were used to symbolize cleansing or purity:
JOHN’S MESSAGE
In the summer of A.D. 26 God raised up a voice in the wilderness, John the Baptist. Clothed in Camel’s hair wit a leather girdle, John was an unusual person who ate locusts and wild honey while he lived in the wilderness and preached in Judea along the Jordan River. His message was “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand….Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight” (Matt. 3:2, 3). He is identified as fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 40: 3-5.
Luke 3:4
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
KJV
The people knew something unusual was happening because Scripture was being fulfilled right before their very eyes.
Luke 3:6
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
KJV
It is easy to understand why John called the nation to repentance. The Messiah’s kingdom was to be a kingdom of holiness and righteousness, and Israel had been promised a special place and ministry in the kingdom; (they needed to be holy). They were to be a nation of priests (Exo. 19:6; Lev. 11:44). But under the Mosaic covenant it was clearly shown that priests who were defiled could not minister. This nation was defiled by sin and wickedness, and therefore, John was calling for its repentance.
Many people thought that John was the Christ, but he declared that he was not and that One was coming after him who was greater than he. To emphasize this contrast, he said:
Matt 3:11
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
KJV
JOHN’S BAPTISM
There has been much controversy throughout the centuries about baptism, the rite which appears upon the scene in the New Testament without explanation. While baptism was something new, it was not foreign to the Jewish system of thought, for it was related to purifying, as shown by John.
John 3:25-26
25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
KJV
SIRITUAL PURITY SYMBOLIZED BY WASHING:
In the Scriptural as well as traditional background of the Jews at least six different washings were used to symbolize cleansing or purity:
1.The cleansing of lepers
2.Purification from the defilement of death by ashes of the red hefier.
3.Hand washing traditions
4.Becoming a proselyte.
5.Entering into a covenant.
6.Preparations for the priestly ministry.
2.Purification from the defilement of death by ashes of the red hefier.
3.Hand washing traditions
4.Becoming a proselyte.
5.Entering into a covenant.
6.Preparations for the priestly ministry.
In the next post I will be looking at the previous list of washings that symbolizes cleansing or purity.
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