John the Baptizer

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Roman emperor Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip was tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, and Annas and Caiaphas were high priests. In this year, the word of God came to John, son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. John went through all the wilderness of Judea, around the Jordan River, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." John preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

"A voice of one calling in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways will be made straight, and the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God's salvation.'" 

John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to John from all of Jerusalem and from the countryside of Judea. They confessed their sins and were baptized by John in the Jordan River.

(See Isaiah 40:3-5; Matthew 3:1-5; Mark 1:1-6; Luke 3:1-6)

-

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lamentations 3:22-23 – Even Through the Bad, God is Faithful

Image
The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. --Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB The most significant thing about this wonderful passage is where we find it in the Bible. The Book of Lamentations tells of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, which took place over 587 and 586 BC when Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar overran the city. The surviving inhabitants either fled to other countries, were carried away to Babylon as slaves or remained under the brutal rule of an occupying force. Lamentations does not name its author, but it is generally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. For many years Jeremiah had warned the people and their leaders about their unfaithfulness to God. Jeremiah knew that being chosen by God did not translate to a free pass. He knew that actions had consequences. If God's people were not faithful to God's instructions, bad things would happen. But even
Read more

God's Provision and Israel's Waywardness

1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. 2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. 3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. 4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. 5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. 6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots. 7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah. 8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me; 9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god. 10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 But my
Read more

Meditation For Fear and Worry

Image
The affects of fear, worry and anxiety can be crippling. But you can find God's comfort and God's peace through God's Word. Meditate on Scripture and let God remind you of His constant presence, His perspective, and His promises for you . When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. —Psalm 56:3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. —Psalm 46:1-3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. —Psalm 56:3 Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. —Isaiah 41:10 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. —Psalm 56:3 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean o
Read more