5….4….3….2….1…. wait a minute!

We are about to start on a journey together through the book of Matthew.  Our eyes and our hearts will be focused on Jesus.  We will listen to his teachings, observe the miracles God works through him, watch with agony as Jesus is rejected by his people and crucified.  His death isn’t the end of the story, but I continue to get ahead of myself!!!

Before we blastoff on this Jesus journey, we need to engage in some ‘preparation.’  “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”  John was a prophetic kind of man who came on the scene before Jesus began his ministry.  He was a relative of Jesus who spoke with boldness a fiery message up and down the Jordan River from the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee.

The passage for Sunday’s message comes from Matthew 3:1-12.  As we prepare for ‘Jesus coming’ by learning more about John, check out Mark 1:1-8, Luke 3:1-19, and John 1:1-34.  Every Gospel ‘prepares’ for Jesus coming by talking about this man named John the Baptizer.  And each Gospel mentions John’s mission and message as being a fulfillment of Isaiah 40.  (Read that as well for additional preparation!)

What was John’s core message?  (Something about repentance, baptism, and a ‘Kingdom.’)  And how does this prepare the way for Jesus?  Can’t wait for Sunday.

If you wanna dig deep, google recent news about ’12th Qumran Cave found’, or ‘essene commuity’ and see what you find out.  Its possible that John was a part of this desert community before heading on his baptism tour.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Mark