Family Devotionals

  • John the Baptist: Matt. 3, 14; Mark 1, 6; Luke 1, 3; John 1, 3

    Shortly before the birth of Jesus, another child was born. This child would be called John. His purpose? to be the one who would prepare the people for Jesus Christ. Isaiah had prophesied about John: “A voice is calling, Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God” (Isa. 40:2). John was to be the forerunner of Christ, the one who could smooth out the path before Jesus.

    John was fully aware of his position. He was not the Christ. He baptized people in anticipation of Jesus, but he confessed, “it is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie” (John 1:27).

    Jesus came to John in order to be baptized. John was reluctant, saying “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” (Matt. 3:14) Jesus told him to do it in order to “fulfill all righteousness.” So John baptized Jesus, and the Spirit descended on Jesus, which became a sign by which John knew that Jesus was the promised One.

    Thus John’s testimony regarding Jesus was this: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) It was the disciples of John who first became disciples of Jesus. John’s work was effective in fulfilling his purpose. He did what he was called upon by God to do.

    John’s dedication to truth ended up costing him his earthly life. He was able to preach to Herod , who liked to hear John. But because John told him that it was unlawful for him to be married to Herodias, he was put in prison, and finally beheaded for it. John’s commitment to truth is a great example to all believers today.

    Discussion
    1. From the Bible texts, give a description of John: what he might have looked like, what he wore, what he ate, etc.

    2. Why was John important to the coming of Jesus? What was his mission? How did he fulfill this?

    3. Discuss the baptism of John. Why was it significant? Who was it for? What did it accomplish?

    4. Why was John put to death by Herod? How does his example encourage us today?