“See, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple, the Messenger of the covenant you delight in—see, he is coming,” says the Lord of Armies. But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will be able to stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s bleach. He will be like a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. And the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord as in days of old and years gone by. —Malachi 3:1-4
We are called to make
“See, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple, the Messenger of the covenant you delight in — see, he is coming,” says the Lord of Armies.” —Malachi 3:1
Malachi identifies two messengers:
The first messenger:
“Look, the days are coming…when I will make a new covenant…I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them…For I will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin.” —Jeremiah 31:31-34
The second messenger:
God sent John the Baptist with messages to
“John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” —Mark 1:4
“One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” —Mark 1:7-8
“I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of him…So this joy of mine is complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” —John 3:28-30
“Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, recognize that he is near — at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” —Matthew 24:33-35
“He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts…” —2 Corinthians 1:22
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” —1 Peter 2:9
How do we act as forerunners in our society?
“We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.” —1 Corinthians 1:23
The heart of a forerunner desires
For further study:
Scripture: Ezekiel 36:33-38; Luke 1:68-79, 3:1-6, 7:24-28; Phil. 1:3-11
Resources: “Advent and Christmas Wisdom” by Henri Nouwen
Community Group Guide:
Read: Malachi 3:1-4
What was the role of a forerunner in history?
How do you feel the church is to serve as forerunners today?
Read: Luke 3:1-18
What can we learn from John the Baptist’s ministry?
To prepare for next week: The Promise of Restoration; Zephaniah 3:14-20