Chapter 9—Early Ministry
From the wilderness, Christ returned to the Jordan, where John the
Baptist was preaching. At that time men sent by the rulers at Jerusalem
were questioning John as to his authority for teaching and baptizing
the people.
They asked if he was the Messiah, or Elijah, or “that prophet,”
meaning Moses. To all this he answered, “I am not.” Then they asked:
“Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us.
“He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make
straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.”
John 1:22,
23
.
In old times when a king had to travel from one part of his country
to another, men were sent ahead of his chariot to prepare the roads.
They had to cut down trees, gather out the stones, and fill up the
hollows, so that the way would be clear for the king.
So when Jesus, the heavenly King, was coming, John the Baptist
[50]
was sent to prepare the way by telling the people, and calling on them
to repent of their sins.
As John answered the messengers from Jerusalem, he saw Jesus
standing on the riverbank. His face lighted up, and stretching out his
hands, he said:
“There standeth One among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who
coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not
worthy to unloose.”
John 1:26, 27
.
The people were greatly moved. The Messiah was among them!
They looked about eagerly to find the One of whom John had spoken.
But Jesus had mingled with the multitude, and was lost to sight.
The next day John again saw Jesus, and, pointing to Him, cried:
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!”
Then John told of the sign that had been seen at Christ’s baptism.
“I saw, and bare record,” he added, “that this is the Son of God.”
John
1:29, 34
.
27