You’ve probably heard of him, but who was John the Baptist, and what was his mission? For this episode, let’s explore the life and ministry of the man who prepared the way for Christ’s earthly ministry.

 

John’s birth was miraculous. His parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, were elderly and had no children when the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah to tell him that he would finally have a son. But, Zechariah questioned the angel of the Lord, wondering how they could possibly become parents in their old age. As a result, Zechariah was rendered unable to speak for the duration of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.

 

While the couple were awaiting their son’s birth, Elizabeth had a special visitor, her cousin Mary, who was also with child. But the child within Mary’s womb was like no other and Elizabeth’s child leaped for joy within her womb. A beautiful reminder that even before birth, we are very much alive and able to sense the Spirit of the Lord. It’s also a foreshadowing of the special ministry that the baby would grow up to have as he called people to repent and follow Christ.

 

At the baby’s circumcision, when Zechariah confirmed that the chosen name for their son was John, his voice returned to him, and he was able to speak. Upon this, Zechariah prophesied about his son, saying, “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1: 76-79).

 

John the Baptist, as he became known, lived a life of boldness for the Lord right up until his untimely death. Listen in to learn more about this incredible man and what we can learn from his life and ministry to apply to our own lives as believers.



On the next episode:

Be sure to join us next time on the History for Christian Teens podcast when we find out how a greedy tax collector became a Christ-follower.

 

Episode Sponsor:

CTC Math

 

 

Resources referenced or recommended for further study:

* Bible Gateway
* The Ultimate Bible Character Guide, by Gina Detwiler
* Who was John the Baptist in the Bible?
* Doubt: When It’s Beneficial for Christians
* More of You, Less of Me

 

Scripture references:

* Luke 1:5-20
* Luke 1:42-45, 66
* Luke 1: 68-79
* Matthew 3: 1-3, 5-6
* Romans 6:3-11
* Matthew 3:11, 14-17, 26-30
* Luke 7:21-23
* Proverbs 28:1
* Acts 4:31
* John 3:30

 

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