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Nearly four hundred years had gone by with no clear prophetic voice in Israel. When John the Baptist began preaching, forcefully and urgently calling people to change their lives, he drew crowds hungry for a word from God. He baptized people as a symbol of cleansing and change. Faithful to his life mission, he pointed beyond himself, and had the privilege of baptizing the Savior whose way he’d prepared.

• John the Baptist had a very clear sense of mission: to lead people to be baptized as a sign of repentance, and accepting God’s forgiveness of sins (verse 3). He passionately called people to change and be baptized because he felt a sense of urgency. To what extent do you feel a sense of urgency in pursuing God’s path for your life? What steps help you keep your commitment to God’s call strong and focused?
• John the Baptist did not baptize people as an end in itself. He was preparing the way for the Savior. As scholar N. T. Wright explained, "John was doing what the prophet Isaiah had said: preparing a pathway for the Lord himself to return to his people. This was the time. Rescue was at hand." Each of us also can prepare the way for the Lord through prayer, worship, generosity toward others and the like. How are you preparing the way for Jesus Christ to work in your life? In the lives of others?