Tuesday 30th December
Read Matthew 3:1-3
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
‘A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
“Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.”’” (NIVUK)
Those who have read the gospels often will know that there is some confusion concerning who John is. When John is asked he denies many of the categories the leaders seek to label him with. He even denies the identity Jesus eventually gives him! Yet he also has a very clear idea of what he is called to do and how he should do it.
He is the last of the old prophets, the voice in the wilderness, fulfilling Isaiah’s and Malachi’s words concerning the arrival of the Lord and the need to change direction and smooth His way.
Jesus identifies him as the Elijah who was to come before the Lord returns. We should expect that we will read language and actions that remind us of Isaiah, Malachi and Elijah. Language that calls people back to God and to life. We should also expect a divine arrival. The language they use doesn’t speak just of a human. It also speaks of preparing the way for the Lord. The first readers of his gospel would be wondering already how divinity and humanity can arrive together. As should we.
