The good news started with a messenger. That messenger was expected because of a prophet's foretelling. The messenger prepared the way. The messenger laid the ground work. The messenger level set the people's expectation. I don't think he was following current best practices by under promising and over delivering. He came crying out in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
John was the messenger. John, the cousin of Jesus. His message was repent of your sins, receive God's forgiveness and be baptized as a sign to others of your changed life. This messenger and this message was attracting people from everywhere around Judea and Jerusalem. The people were coming to John and being baptized in the river Jordan, they were confessing their sins. The messenger was distinct in his wardrobe and diet. He wore a camel hair suit, a leather belt around his waist and followed an extreme diet even Jeff Corwin could endorse - wild honey and locusts.
How did John "Prepare the way"? John proclaimed the following, "The one who is more powerful than me is coming. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I baptize with water. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit of God."
So what IS the good news? The good news is get repented, get forgiven, get baptized and get ready because The One is coming. God in a man, God's Son and He is coming to immerse you in the Spirit of God.
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