Forerunners

'The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 

as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: 

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

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” '

Mark 1:1-8

https://my.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.1.1-8

Mark started his gospel with John the Baptist. He was the messenger ahead of Jesus, who prepared the hearts of people to receive and identify the Messiah. He is a a voice calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him.

His message of repentance, baptism. and the after me.... is all for the preparation for the hearts of people so that when Messiah comes, they won't miss him. He is calling all people to ready their hearts so that their hearts would be sensitive when God through the Messiah, reveals himself.

John's lifestyle--diet and fashion sense marks him as a typical prophet / man of God in those times.

Point: You are the first step for people before they encounter Jesus fully. Is our interactions with people prepare their hearts points to God. Is our lifestyle/behavior reflects someone who truly knows Jesus. Our we preparing the ways of Lord so that people would receive Jesus in their lives.