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!

The Jesse Tree ornament! It is supposed to represent the River Jordan. The crochet pattern for this ornament is here, just in case you want to make it!

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.’”

The Voice in the Desert, by James Tissot, c. 1886-94. Brooklyn Museum, New York, New York, United States. Via IllustratedPrayer.com
The Voice in the Desert, by James Tissot, c. 1886-94. Brooklyn Museum, New York, New York, United States.

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.

Saint John the Baptist, by Alexandro Loarte, c. 1590s. Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain.
Saint John the Baptist, by Alexandro Loarte, c. 1590s. Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain.

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.

Saint John Baptizing in the River Jordan, by Nicolas Poussin, c. 1630s. J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California, United States.
Saint John Baptizing in the River Jordan, by Nicolas Poussin, c. 1630s. J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California, United States.

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.

St. John the Baptist Preaching, by Mattia Preti, c. 1665. Legion of Honor, San Francisco, California, United States. Via IllustratedPrayer.com
St. John the Baptist Preaching, by Mattia Preti, c. 1665. Legion of Honor, San Francisco, California, United States.

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.

Landscape with Saint John the Baptist Preaching, by Herri met de Bles, c. 1550. Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
Landscape with Saint John the Baptist Preaching, by Herri met de Bles, c. 1550. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.

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.”

The Appearance of Christ Before the People, by Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov, c. 1837–1857. Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia. Via IllustratedPrayer.com
The Appearance of Christ Before the People, by Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov, c. 1837–1857. Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia.

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…

Karina Tabone

Karina Tabone is a wife, mother of four, author, blogger, and lover of Christian artwork. She's the author of the Illustrated Rosary series, which pairs every prayer of the Rosary with beautiful religious artwork. She likes also milkshakes, sunshine, and mystery novels. Follow her on Twitter at @illustr_prayer.

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