People - John the Baptist
At the time of the birth of John, the land of Israel was under Roman occupation. The Jews were heavily taxed by Rome, by the puppet king Herod and they also had to pay temple taxes. The Jewish people were eagerly awaiting the promised Messiah.
John's role was to prepare the way for the coming messiah Jesus
Prelude
An angel of the Lord (Gabriel) appeared to the priest Zechariah, telling him that his wife Elizabeth will bear him a son and he is to name him John. (Luke chapter 1 verses 1 - 25)
When Elizabeth was in her sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a virgin pledged to be married to Joseph. The angel told Mary that the Holy Spirit will come apon her and she will bear a son, Jesus. (Luke chapter 1 verses 26 - 38)
Ministry
A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. (Isaiah chapter 40 verses 3 - 4)
John came in the desert region, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. His message was:
"After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptise you with water, but he will baptise with the Holy spirit." (Mark chapter 1 verses 7 - 8)
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John the in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him live a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Mark chapter 1 verses 9 - 11)
John rebuked Herod the tetrarch for marrying his brother's wife Herodias and Herod locked John in prison. (Luke chapter 3 verses 19 - 20)
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" (Matthew chapter 11 verses 2 - 3)
Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me. ( Matthew chapter 11 verses 4 - 6)
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ( Matthew chapter 11 verse 11)
On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distresses, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. (Matthew chapter 14 verses 6 - 11)
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