John the Baptist came to prepare the way. He is not the Christ - He is so much greater.
1. How John prepares for the Christ.
(a) He preaches the Good News. Announcing the victory. Your King has come. Are we sharing in the victory?
(b) He calls for repentance. Bring our lives in line with the King, willing obedience. People will ignore it, or lock up the messenger (eg Herod).
2. What Christ will do:
(a) Seperate people - an agricultural image to obtain the good grain. He gathers those in who want to follow Him. Also reminded of judgement - the chaff is burned - those who don't make Christ King.
(b) Baptised by Christ. Different to John's. Spirit-God will be with them in a real way (Ezekiel 36). Fire-the purification work of the Spirit in changing us. Bit by bit to bring the 'new' into our life.
