In the gospel of Mark chapter 1, combined with Luke 3:11, and John 1, we have a context of John the Baptist’s message which is that by each with two coats giving to those with none, a social equalisation, the high becoming lowered and the low becoming lifted up, there will be a level field such that all together can equally see the glory of God as the Messiah comes to minister. This was foretold long before John the Baptist came, and is a sign it is he who was the messenger sent ahead of the Messiah, and a sign that Jesus is this Messiah (the one who shines forth God’s glory and light, sent by God). The implication of this is that social inequality would have obscured an equal access by high and low alike to the teachings and miracles of the ministry of Jesus and his crucifixion and resurrection, as well as bringing a curse on the nation at his coming. The great extent to which John the Baptist was obeyed and followed was a key factor in preparing accessibility across all of society in the nation to the ministry of Jesus. It was such a widespread impact that history records it, as with John the Baptist baptising Jesus. This is encouraging for a truth-seeker today to see in these scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah foretold, since John the Baptist surely did fulfil the prophecies about the messenger sent before this Messiah. John the Baptist taught how to regard Jesus: As the lamb of God, sent to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world, and as the Messiah to be trusted, believed, and followed by holding to his teachings, as the teachings of the one sent by God as light to all. This historic prophet John the Baptist is evidence for us today of Jesus being this Messiah, so we too can follow this once crucified Messiah who is now present for humanity at the throne of God who raised him from the dead.
