Dear friends, On this time of the year when we are all preparing to receive jesus in our hearts, I felt it was best to make a case study of a person in history who not only came to prepare the way for the Lord, but also left behind an example for each of us. Please forgive the length of this mail. JOHN THE BAPTIST:
Introduction: Born to a priest named Zechariah, and his wife Elizabeth, both belonging to the priestly families, in their old age, John was a perfect example of Gods divine plan for mankind. >From the very time of the announcement of his birth (Lk 1:5.) Gods plan for his >life was made very clear; or then, perhaps, the announcement came much earlier; at >the time of Isiah, the prophet (Is 40:3), where not just the coming of our Lord Jesus >was made clear, but also the coming of a messenger ahead of him to make clear the >way of the Lord. John was a person , filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit, >right from the time of his birth (Lk 1:17), and perhaps that is why, He leapt with >Joy when he first had a womb to womb meeting with Jesus.(During Marys visit to >Elizabeth in Lk 1:39-45.) Johns Appearance: Johns clothes were made of camels hair; He wore a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honeyMt 3:4 He fasted and drank no wine Mt 11:18. His clothes, just like his personality resembled to that of Elijah the prophet, (2Kings 1:8) thus causing an confusion as to his identity. In the book of JoHN when questions were asked by the authorities regarding his identity, He quoted Isiah when he said; I am the voice of someone shouting in the desert: Make a straight path for the Lord to travel! And yet, when Jesus began his work on earth He defined John with yet another identity when He said, I assure you that John the Baptist is greater than any man who has ever lived. But He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John Mt11:11 John was like a lamp, burning and shining Jn 5:35. Now, now..didnt Jesus also tell us to be the lamps of the earth.. =============================================================================== This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. For more info on the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet To unsubscribe from the list send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet/join In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] ===============================================================================
