Matthew 3.  The life of John the Baptist was consumed with one task: preparing Israel for heaven’s king.

1. His call for repentance was directed not toward the pagan masses, but toward a nation whose heart had forgotten that their God was holy, and they must conform to his holiness.  He is coming to be among them, and they are not ready (1-3).
2. His life was not consumed with his own needs.  He ate what was available: locusts and wild honey.  He spent his personal time getting his people ready for their Lord (4-6).
3. Many were deceived into thinking that the Lord’s coming could only mean peace and joy.  John knew that God was coming in wrath.  He condemned the Pharisees and Sadducees because their lives did not live up to their professions of godliness.  They were not ready (7-10).
4. He knew that the power of the Holy Spirit could not reside in a people whose heart had not repented.  He preached of a Messiah who would judge and destroy his own people, clearing his own threshing floor, burning up the chaff.  The power of the Holy Spirit would only be for those who survived the judgment of unquenchable fire (11-12).
5. After having met Jesus, John felt unworthy to baptize him. When he did, he saw the visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, and resting on the king.  He heard the Father’s voice, owning Jesus as his Son.  Ready or not, heaven’s king is here (13-17)!

LORD, may the passion to get our people ready for your presence consume us!