"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."
In today's lesson, Jesus recognized John the Baptist as the greatest of all the prophets. In essence, Jesus said John was much more than just a prophet, John was the forerunner for Christ and chosen by God the Father to prepare the Jews for the coming of the Messiah.
In the latter part of the lesson, Luke said, "And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John."
It is very important to note that the phrase, "the baptism of John" describes two totally different things. That phrase not only references the ritual water immersion (baptism) that John administered and was required of all Jews under the old law, "The baptism of John" also, and I believe more importantly, included the message that John was divinely chosen to bring. That message: "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:1-2) is the same message that Jesus Himself taught: "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17), it is also the same message Jesus instructed His twelve apostles to teach: "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 10:5-7).
It is very important to understand all the implications of the phrase "the baptism of John", because in future lessons the intent of the usage of that phrase will determine the intent of the lesson.~
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