Who is John the Baptist?
(From the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 19-28)
When Jesus was alive on the earth, John the baptizer lived in a wild place near the Jordan River. John's clothes were made from animal skins. He ate only the things he could find in the wild place.
John told everyone to get baptized in the river. He told them that getting baptized was a good way to turn their lives around. Getting baptized was a good way to get right with God again. Many people came to the Jordan River to get baptized by John.
Important people from Jerusalem came to the wild place to talk with John.
"Are you God's Chosen One?" they wanted to know.
John replied, "No, I am not the Messiah."
"Are you the great prophet Elijah come back from death?" they asked.
John replied, "No I am not Elijah."
"Well then, who are you?" they asked.
John answered using the words of the prophet Isaiah: "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.'"
They asked John, "Why are you baptizing if you are not the Messiah or a prophet?"
John answered them, "I am a servant of the Chosen One. He is coming soon. He is so important that, compared to him, I am not worthy to untie his shoe."
Questions to think and pray about:
Prophets are people who speak God's truth. Do you know any prophets?
I wonder what it means to make a straight way for God.
I wonder how the story about John the baptizer helps you get ready for Christmas.