John the Baptizer

Read:

Luke 1: 1-25, 57-80, 3:4-6

Mark 1:1-8

John 1:7-23

Interesting Facts about John:

1. Born to Elizabeth and Zacharias who was not able to speak until John was born because of his doubt (Luke 3:2,  Luke 1:5-25)

2. Fulfilled words of Isaiah the Prophet (Isaiah 40:3-5, Luke 3:4-6)

3. Did not drink wine or liquor (Luke 1:15)

The time between the Old and New Testament was approximately 400 years.  What a long time for God to be silent!  Because of this absence of hearing from God, these people were living under the law of Moses and were full of religious rituals and legalism.  it was not until God called John the Baptist, son of Zacharias, in the wilderness to fulfill the words of Isaiah the prophet, that grace came into light.

John, filled with the Holy Spirit even while he was in his mother's womb (Luke 1:15), was sent by God to prepare the people for their Savior to come to earth.  John's purpose was to "turn many of the Sons of Israel back to the Lord their God" (Luke 1:16).

So, is my life leading people to the cross?  God has called me to go into my world to prepare the way for Him.  God, may I lead the way so that others may see you.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, behold, new things have come.  2 Corinthians 5:17