"And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John."
Today's quote explains the difference between a true man of God (John the Baptist) and the pompous and hypocritical leaders of the Jews. (Scribes, high priests, lawyers, Pharisees, and Sadducees.)
While speaking of John, Jesus said, "This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist:"
Making the point that John was more important than all the old prophets and that appearances are very deceiving, Jesus asked those who had gone out to meet John the Baptist and to hear his message, if they had expected him to appear dressed in the finest clothing with ritualistic ornamentation like the Jewish priests of that day invariably presented themselves.
We, as representative of Jesus Christ today, should give some consideration to the way today's Pope and countless other "church" and religious leaders present themselves. We should then compare them to the appearance of the divinely sent, true messenger of God, John the Baptist who appeared wearing very simple clothes made of goatskin.
Jesus made a specific point demonstrating that those who would follow Him should be a different kind of people. The true believers in Jesus would not then, and will not now, hypocritically dress and act so as to separate themselves from the common people.
Jesus insisted that His followers demonstrate constant and sincere humility. The true followers of Christ would be a caring people, totally unlike what the Jewish leadership of that day had become, and also unlike those "church" leaders who dress to set themselves apart today.
It is also very important to remember what the mission of John the Baptist actually was. He was NOT sent to preach the gospel of Christ, as many mistakenly believe, John the Baptist was sent to PREPARE THE WAY for the COMING of the Messiah, who's mission would not be completed until He had made His supreme, sin remitting sacrifice, and returned to the right hand of God the Father.
John preached to those who came to hear him; "saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:2 in part.), and administered water baptisms according to Mosiac law and Jewish tradition.
Water baptism (Total immersion in flowing water) was required of every Jew each time they entered into any kind of religious activity. In this case, they were baptized to ceremonially cleanse themselves in preparation for the coming of the prophesied Messiah.
There will be much more discussion of Christian "appearance" and water baptism as these lesson progress.~
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