Jesse Tree – Day 21: John the Baptist
Of course, what sort of Advent would it be if we failed to talk about the Prophet who linked together the Old Testament and the New Testament together and spoke directly about the coming of Christ?
That’s right! We’re talking about John the Baptist.
He preached a lot about the coming of our Lord and called for everyone to repent — something which we should do this Advent, especially as we prepare ourselves for Christmas. He also baptized people as a physical sign of this repentance — and even ended up baptizing our Lord!
So, here is his ornament!
It’s supposed to represent the River Jordan, even though my five-year-old daughter insists that it looks like blue bacon. Oh well! You can’t win them all.
And, with no further ado… the scripture! Along with plenty of wonderful pictures. 🙂
The Story of John the Baptist
NABRE
Matthew 3
1In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea 2[and] saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:“A voice of one crying out in the desert,‘Prepare the way of the Lord,make straight his paths.’”
NABRE
Matthew 3
4 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
NABRE
Matthew 3
5At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him 6and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
NABRE
Matthew 3
7When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
NABRE
Matthew 3
9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
NABRE
Matthew 3
11 I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
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It is important to announce the coming of the Lord, of course! But, it is also important to accept Jesus in a humble way. And so, next time, we’ll look at the woman who did precisely that from the very beginning…
