John the Baptist Prepares the WayThis is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written:“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,and he will prepare your way.He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the lord’s coming!Clear the road for him!’”This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
Q: Who is this section of scripture talking about?
A: John the Baptist
Q: Where was John the Baptist?
A: Out in the wilderness
Q: What was he doing there?
A: Preaching and Baptizing
Q: What did the people need to do to be baptized?
A: Repent of their sins.
Q: What does “repented of their sins mean”?
A: That they have turned back to God, and confessed they are sorry for their sins, and decided to change their way and walk in obedience instead of disobedience.
Q: Who did John tell the people was coming?
A: Jesus, the Messiah.
Q: John baptized with water, but he said that Jesus would baptize with what?
A: The Holy Spirit (like a dove).
Q: And what is the Holy Spirit?
A: The Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit of God come to live in us and to guide us, teach us, and lead us in the way.
The Baptism and Temptation of JesusOne day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
Q: Where did John baptize Jesus?
A: In the Jordan River.
Q: What happened right as Jesus was baptized?
A: The sky opened split apart
Q: What came down from the sky after it was parted?
A: The Holy Spirit descended
Q: Why was John arrested?
A: He was speaking against sin
Q: What did the voice from heaven say?
A: God acknowledged Jesus Christ as His son and that He was pleased with Him.
Q: What did Jesus then go and preach, telling the people to do?
A: Repent of their sins and believe.
Q: What does God call us when we repent of our sins and confess Him as our Lord and Savior?
A: He calls us His children.
Harold J. Ballinger 