1. This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
2. as the prophet Isaiah wrote:“I will send my messenger ahead of you.He will prepare your way.” Malachi 3:1
3. “There is a voice of a man whocalls out in the desert:‘Prepare the way for the Lord.Make the road straight for him.’” Isaiah 40:3
4. John was baptizing people in the desert. He preached a baptism of changed hearts and lives for the forgiveness of sins.
5. All the people from Judea and Jerusalem were going out to John. They told about the sins they had done. Then they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
6. John wore clothes made from camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.
7. This is what John preached to the people: “There is one coming later who is greater than I. I am not good enough even to kneel down and untie his sandals.
8. I baptize you with water. But the one who is coming will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”