The people were fascinated by this character John. They recognised him as someone special. His message was quite clear: “Do not come here to be baptised if you are not showing by your life that you have turned to God and away from your sin”.

John was challenging the people to look at their lives and to think about what the Messiah was coming to do.

“We’re expecting the Messiah” - but what kind of Messiah? Why did so few recognise Him and why is it no different today?

Are we quite happy to think of Jesus the Messiah, heralded by the angel choirs and worshipped by the Magi, but not so comfortable to think of Jesus as the Judge, because that challenges our lifestyle and our allegiance?    
    
So many centuries of watching and waiting,
But when the moment came, well, nobody saw.
Traders and travellers hurried by
And life went on, just like before.
(Graham Kendrick)

Wilma Armstrong