3:15
There was an atmosphere of expectation and, in particular, an expectation of the Messiah. We are not told how this expectation had arisen, but when God tells us to do something He will have made all necessary preparations. So He was not sending John, nor Jesus, into a vacuum. There was a readiness of sorts to receive the Messiah. The people thought John the Baptist might be the Messiah. This illustrates one of the reasons why preaching and teaching are so important. We need the truth and the significance of events explained to us.
3:16
John was fully aware of his place in the grand scheme of things, he knew that his task was to prepare the way for One who is more powerful. He knew how much greater the Messiah would be. We need to recognise the significance of our own lives, and the limits of that significance. If we think we are insignificant then we will miss God’s purpose for our lives, but if we think more highly of ourselves than we ought we will make a mess of things and do much damage. John baptised with water, but Jesus would baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire. Pentecost was the first baptising with the Spirit. Fire probably signifies judgement.
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