| CONGREGATION |
| |
| Pastor | ||
| Officers | ||
| KIDS CORNER | ||
| History | ||
| Links | ||
| Cemetery | ||
John the Baptist
 "John the Baptist" by Italian painter Bartolomeo Veneto, about 1525 | Zacharias and Elizabeth were very old when the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias at the temple in Jerusalem and told him that he and his wife would finally have a child. The child would be a boy, and he would be filled with the Spirit of God and have an important mission. John the Baptist was born less than a year before Jesus was. John spent many years in the deserts of Judea. The prophet Isaiah had foretold that a man would prepare in the wilderness to announce the arrival of the Messiah. John wasn't a very sociable man, but the power of his message drew hundreds and then thousands to hear him speak and to be baptized. There were three basic ideas that John talked about. The first and most important was in preparing the way for Jesus. He was often asked if he was the Messiah, or the prophet Elijah reborn as the prophets had foretold. He always said "No" to that idea in the strongest way possible. The second was that people needed to repent and be baptized, because the Kingdom of God was coming soon. This again referred to the coming of the Messiah, and many believe that the Kingdom of God came to earth on the day of Pentecost. John the Baptist also talked about Judgement Day, when the corrupt and unbelievers would be barred from entering God's kingdom. This was the third idea that John talked about. Accepting John's message and being baptized were the ways to avoid the harsh judgement to come. Men who had achieved positions of power and status in the Jewish church did not like John's message at all. Still, many Jews went through the motions of baptism by John 'just to be safe.' He warned them that doing so with a scheming heart would not protect them. God can see people's hearts and knows their motivation. Ordinary people were much more likely to hear and believe what John had to say. In bringing people together to hear this message, John the Baptist really did prepare the way of the Lord! Jesus went to the town of Aenon on the River Jordan to be baptized by John. Even as Jesus began his own ministry, John also continued to preach. King Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great, who ruled when Jesus was born) had heard John the Baptist preach and seemed to approve of his message. Even though he was also afraid that John's ideas might lead to a revolt, Herod realized that John was a peaceful and righteous man. Herod's wife Herodias, however, hated John and his message and wanted him dead. This wasn't something Herod Antipas was willing to do,but he did order that John be put into prison. Herodias planned a big party for her husband's birthday. She had her daughter Salome dance for the king, and Herod Antipas was so pleased by her performance that he offered her anything she wanted as a thank-you. Salome asked her mother what she should request. Herodias finally had Herod where she wanted him! Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Herod wasn't happy with this request, but he ordered Salome's wish to be done. John was beheaded, and a servant brought his severed head to Salome on a silver platter. John the Baptist's role in preparing the way for Jesus was foretold by Isaiah and Malachi in the Old Testament. His preaching set the stage for Jesus' ministry, and brought many of the common people, who had lost faith in the wealthy priests and Pharisees at the synagogue, back to God. |
| March 2015 | ||||
 |  |   |  |  |
| In the Bible | Coloring Page* | Wordsearch* | Music | Craft Project |
* Opens in a new window
| Top of Page | Kids Corner Home | Last Page Viewed | |
Copyright 2022 Concordia Lutheran Church 6637 80th Avenue North Glyndon MN 56547 | |||
| Site Index | Search the Website | Contact Us | |