In
this passage we meet John the Baptist the prophet sent by God to prepare the hearts
of the Jewish people to receive Jesus as their Messiah.
this passage we meet John the Baptist the prophet sent by God to prepare the hearts
of the Jewish people to receive Jesus as their Messiah.
There
hadn’t been a prophet in Israel for about 400 years – so John’s entry onto the
scene caused quite a stir – and some people wondered whether he might be the
Messiah (verse 15). But John made clear that he had only come to prepare the
way for Jesus
hadn’t been a prophet in Israel for about 400 years – so John’s entry onto the
scene caused quite a stir – and some people wondered whether he might be the
Messiah (verse 15). But John made clear that he had only come to prepare the
way for Jesus
John
did this Luke tells us, “by preaching a baptism of repentance for the
forgiveness of sins.” He urged the Jewish people to start living their lives
under God’s direction and guidance – and to show their decision to do this was
genuine by the change in their lives.
did this Luke tells us, “by preaching a baptism of repentance for the
forgiveness of sins.” He urged the Jewish people to start living their lives
under God’s direction and guidance – and to show their decision to do this was
genuine by the change in their lives.
John’s
message of repentance and believing in Jesus is still very relevant today –
especially in this season of Advent.
message of repentance and believing in Jesus is still very relevant today –
especially in this season of Advent.
- 1. Why does
John call the crowds coming to him a “brood of vipers (verse 7)?” (John 8 verse
44 may be helpful). - 2. Why does
John say there is wrath to come? What is your understanding of how people will
be judged? Matthew 25 verses 31 to 46 may be helpful. - 3. John
urged the people to repent in order to escape judgement. What does repentance
mean? Why should a person who has
repented “bear good fruit?” How would you define good fruit? - 4. Why did
John baptise people with water and what did it signify? - 5. What do
you think John means by saying that Jesus will baptise people with the Holy
Spirit? - 6. John
talks about judgement again in verse 17 (the bad news). Why is it so important
for us as Christians to appreciate the reality of the judgement that is to
come? What should our response be? - 7. John
“proclaimed the good news to the people” (verse 18). What is this good news? Do
you have a friend or neighbour you can share it with?