John the Baptist Prepares the Way
This is the good news about Jesus, who is called the Messiah (a special chosen leader or savior) and the Son of God.
Long before Jesus came, a prophet named Isaiah wrote that God would send a messenger first. This messenger would go ahead and prepare people for Jesus. He would call out in the wilderness, telling people to get ready for the Lord.
That messenger was John the Baptist. He lived in the wilderness and spoke to the people there. He told them to change their lives, turn away from their wrong actions, and come back to God. As a sign of this change, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
Many people from the region of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went to see John. They admitted the wrong things they had done, and he baptized them in the river.
John lived a simple and unusual life. He wore clothes made from camel hair and a leather belt. His food was locusts (insects) and wild honey.
John told the people, “Someone more powerful than me is coming soon. I am not even worthy to serve him in the smallest way. I baptize you with water, but he will bring something greater—he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Questions
- Who was John the Baptist, and what did he ask people to do?
- How did John live, and what made his lifestyle unusual?
- Why do you think people listen to someone who calls them to change their life? Have you ever experienced something like this in your own life or beliefs?