In verses 11 and 12, John talk about the coming Messiah.  If you read how he talks, you can see impressions from the whole Jewish culture on how they expected the Messiah to come.  Now this was John, who was “to prepare a way” for Christ, so if anyone should know what to expect, it was John.  That being said, for any man, without libeties & freedom, under rule, for such a long time and a people with a history of being in captivity and slavery…it is bound to influence what they read in the scriptures and put a little spin on their expectations.

Here John talks about the Holy Spirit coming as well, and also how Christ will distinguish the unbelieving from the believers, and those unbelieving will go to hell.  Though if you read how he puts it, it comes across as one that we would see as a militant leader who will rally the people, and strike down the false leaders.  He even recognized Jesus (I believe through the Holy Spirit’s leading) when he came to John to be baptized in v13-17.

After that, lets just skip forward to Ch 11, v2-3, “When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”. Obviously, after watching Jesus’ teaching and preaching and his humble and gentle approach, John seems to question what he knows.  Jesus clears it up for him, but still the doubt is there.

I think this says a lot about us these days, as well.  The world is much more attuned to a leader with a false message, than a humble servant with a true message.  I think it goes back to our sinful nature that adores power, wealth, comeliness and the things of this world.  That is what leadership qualities demonstrate, and that is why a true leader in the Church is so rare a thing (ala Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, etc).  I think the world has a hard time accepting a Savior who provided teachings, love and a true message, and then gave himself up to die for us.  In the truest sense, this is the best, most courageous, most honorable, most loving thing a man could’ve done….but it appears to the world as weak.

Jesus is unexpected, and people in the world will have trouble accepting a Christ who does not meet their worldly expectations of a leader, but make no mistake; the is POWER behind the throne, and the acceptance of what Christ did for us in the ONLY way to fulfill our needs and desires!

In the future, we should try looking at the message, and not at the leader.  This will give you a better perspective on what is according to God, and not according to the world.

In v7 Paul sees the Pharisees and Sadducees coming out to him.

I read a good description of them in an article on the web, ” A perhaps-overly generalized way to think about the differences between the Pharisees and the Sadducees in the times of Jesus was to see the Pharisees as Scripturally liberal (because they added oral traditions to its commands), but conservative in politics (because they opposed the Romans); and the Sadducees as Scripturally conservative (because they rejected oral tradition), but liberal in politics (because they sought to fit in with the Romans).” They were generally presented as proud hypocritical men, who were threatened by Jesus’ teachings, and as a result in conflict with Him.

So as they came out to see him, probably to see what the big deal was (see the prior post). When John saw them coming, it was very obvious to a man of God that they were generally up to no good. He does not pay them respect or honor and take them aside to confer, as they probably would at least expect, but he confronts them in front of everyone! Why do this? I think that it may be the only way to get thru to them, and also to point out to the people at the same time, that they need to be wary of these ‘so-called’ leaders of the community.

In most cases, these groups would rely on the fact that they were Jews, God’s “Chosen” people, and so they were above anything, (ala descendants of Abraham). John corrects that fact, and lets them know that your heritage means nothing! (note the stones comment!) It’s all about a repentant heart, and if they dont have it, they better get it fast, or they will be “de-throned” like a tree being cut down.

I could see how John’s teaching in this would encourage the idea of a Messiah that is a more militant leader, who is going to take charge and lead changes and the people. Even John seems confused later on when he sends his servants to ask Jesus if He is the one, though when Jesus shows to be baptized, there is no question. I think everyone (Jews) was confused with their perception of the Messiah they had built up in their minds over the years.

In any case, it was obvious that the Sadducees and Pharisees were in the wrong here, and it teaches us to speak out against that which we know is wrong!

In Matthew 3:3-4, It describes some of Johns appearance; camel hair coat, leather belt and a diet of locusts and honey. 😯 I am guessing that his hair was probably a site, and a 20 ft. radius is not where you wanted to be around him!

That being said, people were going out to see him from the entire region! Not just a local town, but an entire area.

These were a people hungry for some word from the Lord! This was a person that was certainly “out of the ordinary”. I am sure there were probably people during the last hundreds of years that came out looking like lunatics, and claiming to be a prophet. John was different. He captured the attention of the nation, and obviously was worth taking a trip (remember no cars! taking a trip was a big deal!)

His message was so powerful, that people did enter the 20ft radius. Not only that, but they let him baptize them. Not only that, but they confessed their sins!?! Think about that! It is one thing confessing your sins to a priest in a dark closet with a veil, whispering. It is another to confess your sins to a wild man, in front of hundreds (maybe thousands) of others!

This was a message worth hearing!

At the beginning of Chapter 3, the story switches gears to John.  Now John was Jesus’ cousin, and Mary’s nephew.  He was born to Zechariah & Elizabeth, and the story about it is told in the beginning of Luke.  He actually “jumped” in the womb when Mary came near, in excitement of being in the presence of the Lord.

John is an interesting story, as we hear nothing about him after that until now.  At this time, he had, “clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.”!?  Sounds a little strange to us, but the people were all going out to listen and get baptized by him, so something was definitely right about him.

In any case, he had a job to do, and was doing it.  I believe he probably had a very close relationship to God, and had had many encounters with Angel or the Lord.  He obviously had no fear, and was devout.  In those times also, as we saw with Joseph, those who are part of God’s master plan were often visited by Angels.

Below is a photo of the area of the Jordan river in the Judean desert, so you can get an idea.  It was not a very comfortable place, but a place where many could gather.

What he was doing was telling the people about Jesus and “preparing” them for Him.  Verse 2 quotes Isaiah, which foretells John’s coming.   Not much else in the first few verses, except in the first verse it mentions, “The Kingdom of Heaven is near”.  I think many had a mis-interpretation of what this meant.  Obviously, it meant Jesus coming and death, which provides for us the ability to secure our salvation for reaching Heaven.

More to come in the next verses!

Since there is only 1 more verse in Chapter 2, lets take a look at it, and some of the other travel that was done here. According to this, Joseph took his wife and child to Nazareth. (BTW, another prophecy fulfilled!)

Based on the maps I found, Bethlehem to the edge of Egypt in those times was about 50-60 miles. Lets figure about 50 minutes a mile (remember, wife and infant, all their belongings, without pavement, on a donkey!), and I think I am being generous. 55*50 = 45.83 Hours…so saying they did 9 hour days, this makes 5 days travel (all your supplies, food, water, for 5 days etc…). Now he starts to return and has to change route to Nazareth.

Nazareth is about 70 miles north of Bethlehem…!

Lets approximate he gets 40 miles, gets scared, Angel warns in a dream, then he turns north: (40+70)*50 =~ 10 days

After about 4 days travel, for me to tell my wife. “Hey, I was warned not to go to Bethlehem, its still dangerous, lets travel 6 days North to Nazareth (which no-one likes, is my understanding)!” , may not have been met with the warmest of responses. “WHAT!!!, Do you see me here with this child? Do you even care about my saddle sores!?! What about Joppa, Lydda, Massada!?! Can you think of anywhere closer!?! Oh you had a dream? Oh…..well then lets follow your dream! I had a dream of pink elephants, we better be on our guard!” etc. etc. etc….

Let’s just reiterate…this was a man of GREAT faith!

(BTW, I am sure the mother of our Lord was very submissive & humble. Just making a point 😉 )