God’s promise of the messiah and his predecessor.

In the 5th century BC, faith weakened, and hopelessness manifested itself. Many, looking at the achievements of idolaters, were subject to doubts about God’s justice. The wicked do better in life. Where is God who judges? Through the prophet Malachi, God responds to the reproaches of the people by sending his messenger (angel) to prepare the way for them. Immediately after this predecessor, the expected Messiah will come to his temple as King and Judge.

God identifies himself with the Messiah and thus clearly indicates his divinity. In the prophecy, the Messiah is called an Angel or the Messenger of the Covenant because he will conclude a new covenant between God and the New Testament God’s people. He will carry out the moral cleansing of people and priests who have fallen into spiritual superficiality and official carelessness. This purification is compared to heating precious metals with fire and washing lye, which have cleansing effects. The Messiah will establish a pure sacrifice that will please the Lord. He compares the Messiah’s predecessor to the prophet Elijah. This comparison, as well as the prediction about the arrival of the messenger who is supposed to prepare the way for the Lord, was applied by Jesus himself to John the Baptist (Mt 11:10; 17:10-13; Luke 1:2; 9:11-13; Luke 1:17; 7.27).

The Birth of John the Baptist » Lk 1, 57-66

In this sense, the birth of John the Baptist testifies to the fulfillment of the promise of the messenger before the promised Messiah. After his birth, relatives and neighbors rejoiced with his mother, Elizabeth, because they saw a great blessing in the child. Amazingly, both parents gave him the same name, John, which means God is gracious. People wondered: What will this boy be?

And God’s blessing was with him from his birth. He did not let bad influences affect him but took his profession seriously and with personal responsibility before God. He went to the desert, where he led an austere life of penance, prayer, and self-denial. Furthermore, he became significant in his life’s holiness and mission. He was preparing the way for the Messiah Jesus with the zeal of Elijah. The boy grew into a great personality. He was a man of God who was able to put his life behind the ideal to which he dedicated himself.

The wicked are better off than we are. – A contemporary person also makes such a reproach with a sense of injustice. But the good of the wicked is fleeting. A believer has permanent good and salvation in Jesus Christ. Do we allow ourselves to be influenced by the saving power of Jesus? Today’s psalm encourages us: Lift your heads; your redemption is near. This Christmas, Jesus wants to come to us as our personal Savior and Redeemer. How do we receive it?