“And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, “MAKE READY THE WAY OF LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT” (Luke 3:3-4).

Following the ancient Jewish custom, Kurios (Lord) is used for the explicit name of God (YHWH) in the New Testament. But since Kurios can also be used as a title for earthly rulers as well, the authors highlight the divine name by removing the direct article (“the”) before “Kurios.” Since the Greek text says, “Make ready the way of KURIOS,” it is absolutely clear John is identifying Yeshua as YHWH who has finally come to save his people from their sins. The absence of a direct article leaves the reader with no other options.

And as shocking and as foreign as this theology might appear to Jewish people at first sight, it is in its very essence the blessed gospel proclaimed by Jewish people every year on Erev Pesach (Passover evening) in the traditional recitation of the Passover story!

It is absolutely clear John is identifying Yeshua as YHWH who has finally come to save his people from their sins.

“‘And the Lord took us out of Egypt’ – not through an angel and not through a seraph and not through a messenger, but by the Holy One, God alone in His glory, as it is stated;

‘And I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and I will smite every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from men to animals; and with all the gods of Egypt, I will make judgments, I am the Lord.’ (Ex. 12:12)

‘And I will pass through the land of Egypt’ – I and not an angel.
‘And I will smite every firstborn’ – I and not a seraph.
‘And with all the gods of Egypt, I will make judgements’ – I and not a messenger.
‘I am the Lord’ – I am He, and there is no other” (Zevach Pesach on Pesach Haggadah, Sefaria).