When Charles II entered London on 29th May 1660 to reclaim the throne which his father lost, he
was preceded by a kettle drummer and four trumpeters. The musicians acted as heralds announcing
the imminent arrival of someone of great importance – the King of England.
John the Baptizer performed a similar function for the imminent arrival of Jesus who was a relative
of John.
Jesus, as we now know, is the King of Kings, so it was fitting, indeed it was prophesied (see Isaiah
40:3), that the arrival of the Messiah, the anointed one of God, would be publicly proclaimed by
someone declaring, “Make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Matthew 3:3)
John also had other things to say which are still relevant today. The gospel writer, Mark, tells us
(Mark 1:4) that ‘John appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the
forgiveness of sins.’
The season of Advent traditionally begins with John the Baptizer.
Crowds flocked to him from all over and were being baptized by him.
He proclaimed, “After me, one is coming who is mightier than I and I am not fit to stoop down and
untie the thong of his sandal. I baptize you with water but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
(Mark 1:7-8)
Yet, despite his humility, when the occasion arose, Jesus insisted that John had to baptize him.
Both John and Jesus ended their lives by being executed.
In the outworking of God’s plan of redemption for all who would repent of their sins and receive the
Holy Spirit, both John and Jesus had important work to do 2000 years ago.
We, too, have important work to do as witnesses (like John) to the transforming grace of Jesus.
