Shroro

The Syriac Orthodox Christian Digest - February, 2005

Bible Study - Commentaries
The Ministry of St. John the Baptist

from Kaniyamparmabil Achen, the Great Teacher of Malankara

He went to all the regions around Jordan and preached a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

His teaching is in Mathew 3:7-3, Luke 3:7-17, and John 1:15, 20-33. His teaching can be summarized as follows

1. Exhortation for repentance
2. Admonish the arrogance of the Sadducees and Pharisees
3. Ruin for the people who are not repenting.
4. The greatness of Christ and his own insignificance (“whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose”)
5. Christ the great judge
6. He demands that people share, and that they be fair with each other, and that they do not be mean and cruel; that they be happy with what they get. On should be honest, and straightforward and to walk humbly with your God. In general be innocent and be fair your dealings with others (Luke 3:17-17)
7. Though people thought he was Christ, he expresses his humility and points all to a Lord Christ and his greater baptism.
8. He was the forerunner for Lord. “I am a voice calling in the desert, 'MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD” as Isaiah the prophet said (WE) ( Is 40:3) (John 1:20-33). ( see the note )

Why should John be a forerunner for Jesus Christ?

1. The Father had prophets. Same way, Son also should have prophets. Zechariahs told him that he “will be called a prophet of the Most High.” (Luke 1:76-77)
2. In order for the Jews not to be suspicious of Jesus Christ
3. If John did not start Baptism, they would have rejected the Baptism by Christ also. (St. John Chrysostom)
4. Repent. Without repenting one cannot start a new life. (St. Augustine)
- with repentance we should turn away from unrighteousness and is saved from the sins and we should fee ashamed about our sins and turn away from them" Saint Hilarus (4th century)
-- “Repentance purifies the heart and enlightens our senses and prepares our soul to receive Jesus Christ" (St. John Chrysostom) ]
5. John preached new things. People were attached by his speeches about the Kingdom of heaven while all others spoke about Kingdoms of earth.

Verse - Matthew 3:2 “Kingdom of heaven is has approached"

“Heaven” represents the spiritual rule of Messiah who is David’s son. That is the Heavenly rule on earth. Prophet Daniel had prophesized about this on (2:34-36, 44, 7:23-27). This is what has been promised to the sons of David (2 Samuel 7:7-10,). And fulfilled in Luke 1:32-33 “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David”.