2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”—
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’” Mark 1:2-3

Mark wrote about a man named John. Jesus was six months younger than John but the text has a different meaning. John would be going into the wilderness preaching, teaching, and otherwise causing people grief, not because he wanted to.

No, he caused them grief because of their own sin and immorality.

John was plowing and tilling the ground to get it ready for Jesus.

Plowing digs up the rocks and other debris that has been buried for a while.

Plowing also softens the soil for seed to take root.

As we walk through this text, we’ll get glimpses into the wild man that was John the Baptist. He wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, to be sure, but he was necessary.