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Jacob Chronicles for Kids: Volume 2, Issue 2

Writer's picture: S.J. RossonS.J. Rosson

The Verse:


"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;

For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

To give knowledge of salvation to His people

By the remission of their sins,

Through the tender mercy of our God,

With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;

To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,

To guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1: 76-79 


The Story:


“Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!” cried a voice in the wilderness. 


Men plowing in the fields halted their oxen. Women planting next to their husbands stood to their feet. A hush fell over the land. The people set out for the Jordan River to hear the words of this strange man clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt wrapped around his waist, and honey dripping from his beard.


John the Baptist preached repentance of sin and baptized with water; for the kingdom of God was now at hand. Many followed him. Some became his disciples. And others wondered if he was the Christ spoken of by the prophets of old. Perhaps he was Elijah, as promised by Malachi 400 years ago.


One day, while the crowd argued amongst themselves, John saw Jesus walking toward him. Voices dimmed to a whisper. And John the Baptist shouted, “Behold, The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”


Then Jesus asked John to baptize him. But how could John baptize Jesus when John knew he needed to be baptized by Jesus? Then John fell to his knees and worshipped Him.


John said to the people, "This is He in behalf of whom I said, ‘After me is coming a Man who has proved to be my superior, because He existed before me.’"


But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”


When Jesus came up out of the water, the Spirit of God descended like a dove and landed on Him. Then suddenly a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 


Now during this time, Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother, Herod Philip, was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis. Herod Antipas married his brother’s wife, Herodias.


John the Baptist confronted Herod Antipas, and said, “It is unlawful for you to marry your brother’s wife.”


This angered Herod Antipas. So he had John the Baptist thrown in jail. Later, Herod told his wife what John had said.

 

Then one day Herod Antipas had a birthday party. Herodias’s daughter danced for everyone. This pleased Herod Antipas. He said, “What do you want? I promise with an oath, I’ll give it to you.”


Herodias whispered in her daughter’s ear. And her daughter said, “I want John the Baptist’s head on a platter.”


The king was sorry he had asked. But he had to keep his oath. So he gave the girl John the Baptist’s head on a platter. And the girl brought it to her mother. 


When Jesus heard the news of John’s death, he got in a boat and went to a deserted place by Himself. For Jesus had once said, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.”


John the Baptist was the bridge between the law through Moses and grace and truth through Jesus Christ.


John humbly and faithfully pointed everyone to the Christ. A righteous man, he fearlessly confronted Herod's sin, and said, "Repent."


He faced death with courage and strength because he knew the kingdom of heaven is eternal and the things of this world are only temporary.


Are you humble, faithful, clothed in Jesus' righteousness, fearless, and courageous? Do you have strength that comes from the Lord? Ask Jesus to help you in all these things, and He will.


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