Luke 1:5-25, 57-66 The Birth of John

Christmas is about the coming of Jesus, the one who saves. He is also the Christ or the anointed one who is our High Priest, Prophet and King. In ancient times, when a king or a mighty person was going to arrive in an area, a forerunner was sent to let the people know so they could prepare for the arrival. In that custom, John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus. The arrival of John the Baptist was a sure sign that the expected Savior of the world was about to arrive. The forerunner was prophesied in several places by the Jewish prophets of the Old Testaments. Two of the clearer prophecies  are: Malachi 3:1 ““Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” Says the Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 40:3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.” Jesus talked about John in: Matthew 11:7–14 “As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.” John came in the Spirit of Elijah which is referring to the fact that he called people to repentance. John was known as “the baptist” because he would baptize with water the people who repented of their sin and would accept the Savior. John even baptized Jesus when He started His official ministry. The king was coming and John the Baptist appeared on the scene to make it known.