Malachi 3:1a
God promised a messenger. John the Baptist came. Prophecy fulfilled.
“Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me”
Malachi 3:1a
The prophet Malachi was speaking to Jewish people who had returned from exile in Babylon. The temple was rebuilt, but God's glory was not present. The prophet told them that the Lord would send His messenger, after whom the Lord Himself would come to His temple.
This prophecy was fulfilled 400 years later by John the Baptist. When he was born, his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied that he would be this messenger (Luke 1:76-78). He grew up and went into the wilderness, where he became "strong in the Spirit" (Luke 1:80).
Luke 1:76-78: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;”
Mark 1:4: “John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission [because of forgiveness] of sins.”
The prophet Isaiah also told about a messenger who would come.
Isaiah 40:3 (also Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4, John 1:23): “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”
Just before Jesus began His ministry, He was baptized by John. Although he did not want to do it at first, John agreed to do so. Jesus wanted to be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15), which means it was necessary for our salvation. Jesus wanted to be just like us. And He wanted to do what the Father told Him to do; this also included His baptism.
In Matthew 11, Jesus talks about John. He calls him the promised messenger. The people came not to the wilderness to see a man clothed in soft garments (verse 8), not even to meet a regular prophet. They met someone who was more than a prophet: John.
Matthew 11:9-10: “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’”
Today's lesson: God fulfills His promises. He sent John, and He Himself came to us. He also told us that He stands at the door of our hearts. He knocks. If we open the door, He promises to dine with us. If He keeps His promises regarding the coming of a messenger, would He not keep His promise regarding this?
Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”