Scripture

“I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.”

Observation
Isaiah the prophet wrote, “I will send my messenger to prepare the way.” Mark tells us this messenger was John.

John appeared, baptising in the wilderness and preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins. Everyone came out to confess their sins and be baptised.

John told them that someone more powerful and more praiseworthy than him was coming. While John baptised with water, the Messiah would baptise with the Holy Spirit.

Application
John was the one who prepared the way for Jesus to come in. He prepared the hearts of the people for a new move of God.

John was not the main player. He pointed people to Jesus who would baptise with the Holy Spirit.

We are not required to convert people, but just to point them to Jesus. It takes a Saviour and the Holy Spirit to bring a person to salvation. All we can do is show the way.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for John the Baptist whose role was to prepare people for what was to come. Help me to likewise show the people around me that they need Jesus. Amen.