An Old Testament prophecy about the coming Messiah also told of a prophet who would come first. “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me” (Malachi 3:1 AKJV).
John the Baptist was that prophet, a messenger who traveled around the Jordan River area, telling the people of Israel to turn to God, preparing them for the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah.
John: Repent you: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.1
People: What are we to do?
John: If you have two robes to wear, give one to someone who doesn’t have one. If you have more food than you need, share food with a hungry person.
John: If you are a soldier, don’t falsely accuse anyone. And you who are tax collectors, do not demand more taxes than are owed.2
John: I am baptizing you with water. But there is One coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!3
John: Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.4
Later, some of John the Baptist’s disciples became disciples of Jesus. You can read about that in John 1:35–42.
1 Matthew 3:2 AKJV
2 Luke 3:10–14, paraphrased
3 Luke 3:16, paraphrased
4 John 1:29 AKJV
Authored by Evan Kallen. Illustrations by Y.M. Design by Stefan Merour.
Published by My Wonder Studio. Copyright © 2017 by The Family International