Messengers hold an important place in history, bearing news to people about happenings and events. God's messengers include such people as Malachi (whose name in the original Hebrew literally means "my messenger") and John the Baptist. Both of these were called and sent by God to prepare the way for the promised Messiah - Malachi pointing ahead to John, and John pointing to Jesus. The message of the messengers was not always welcome because it was a message of repentance, confronting the reality of sin in our lives. With the coming of Jesus, He himself becomes both Messenger and Message - the One who brings good news of forgiveness, life, and salvation.