And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In a Nutshell:
John told the people what God required. He also told them the most important person ever was coming and there would be big changes.
The Question
Why do you think John decided to go into the desert to tell God's message?
There never was a time in his life when John wasn't being reminded he was special. He felt special and others knew it too. It started even before he was born.
Even though his father was a priest he hadn't believed it when one of God's messengers told him a baby was finally 'on the way'. Zechariah was supposed to believe in the God of Abraham and Isaac and instead started arguing with the angel who had visited him in the temple. Of all the times and places to have an argument with an angel. The story goes that the angel told Zechariah that because he wanted to argue with God about what was possible, he wouldn't speak again until after the baby was born. That was that! So while John was in his mum's tummy, his dad had to write notes to Elisabeth his mother. When John's mum gave birth to a baby boy all the friends and family gathered for the baby-naming party. They had decided what the baby's name was going to be - Zechariah after his dad. Logical. That's what they thought! The baby's dad was getting old and grey and probably this was his last throw of the dice. The baby would be Zechariah, son of Zechariah the priest. But then there was another argument. Zechariah got really agitated and it seemed like he might blow a fuse until they realised that the baby was going to be named John. "Sure! " the people said. "John may be a nice name but you're Zechariah and …" Then they saw that Zechariah meant it. They backed off. And then, as much to his own surprise as anyone else's, Zechariah's voice returned for the first time in nine months. "His name is John!" he shouted. "His name is John!" "OK. OK already. Quieten down. You'll upset the neighbours, it's getting late." What a story to start life with! That was when the wider family circle and the friends of Zechariah and Elizabeth, including her cousin Mary, who was also expecting a baby, realised that they had become part of something big happening in their neck of the woods. This baby was very special. In a few years he was a lively boy. The lad grew to become known as a teacher and a preacher.
Everyone has a task from God. But John's parents taught him that his work had been defined by Isaiah the prophet years and years ago. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”-- “a voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’" John wore simple clothes of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. And for food he ate whatever was nearby - the word locust in our dictionary can also refers to a fruit but here, I guess, it means an insect. He also ate wild honey. His message was all about being cleansed in preparation for the One God was going to send. He didn't expect the people to eat grasshoppers and wild-honey, but he put it to them straight. He’s coming any day! To enter His kingdom, wash your sins away. Now. Today. Don't hesitate. Admit it. Clean up! Get ready!
So if you didn't think you needed to wash your sins away you would might not have gone out to listen. And if you did go out, and decided you didn't want to hear that you were a hypocrite, you probably left early. But some went out because they wanted to show how religious they were to the crowds that were going. The religious leaders didn't support John but they made the trip, and when they entered the water to show how religious they were, John let them have it. He recognised fake repentance when he saw it. You religious leaders are nothing but a nest of snakes! Give up your hypocrisy - you don’t fool God, you know. Show repentance - not just by being washed - but by doing good. Trees that have no fruit get cut down! God's fire burns out all the dead wood!
What do you think about John? Mark tells us he made a big difference for lots of people by getting them ready for Jesus, by teaching out in the desert, away from the towns, away from the synagogues, away from the places where people's lives were organised. John knew that people who lived, worshipped and listened to God's law together could also be hypocrites together. So, out into the desert he went to teach about repentance and he also baptised.