A Messenger from God

The Jews who had returned from Babylon to Judah had restored the Temple in Jerusalem and rebuilt the wall around the city.

But as time passed, they started slipping back into their old sinful ways. They were unfaithful to God and untrue to their husbands and wives.

But God wasn’t giving up on them.

This is what the Lord said through the prophet Malachi: “I will send My messenger to prepare the way for Me. Then the Lord you are looking for will come to His Temple—the Messenger you long for will come and proclaim My covenant. He will come to purify His people.”

Who was the promised Messenger?

Weren’t all the prophets messengers of God who took His word to the people? How would this Messenger, whom Malachi spoke of, be different? God had sent many prophets, but the people had not listened to their message. Now God was going to send one more—His very own Son (read Mark 12:1–8).

Imagine that a king or a president was coming to visit your town. Before arriving, a messenger would tell everyone to get ready. The streets would be cleaned, people would gather, and everyone would be eager to welcome the important visitor.

That is what happened before Jesus came. God first sent John the Baptist to prepare the hearts of people for the coming of Jesus (Matthew 3:1–3). Then the second Messenger came—Jesus, the Messiah.

When Jesus began teaching and preaching, He went to the synagogues and told the people that the Scriptures had come true because He was the promised Savior (Luke 4:18–21). He is the Messenger who came to bring the good news of forgiveness and freedom to everyone who believes in Him.

Verse for today

And this was his (John’s) message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.” Mark 1:7

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