There was a man in Bible times who was called “a burning and a shining light” (John 5:3535He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. (John 5:35)). His name was John. His parents were too old to have a baby, so when he was born, it was a complete surprise to the neighbors and to everybody who knew them.
John’s father’s name was Zacharias and his mother was Elisabeth. Zacharias was a priest who served in the temple of God. One day while he was faithfully on duty, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and promised that he and his wife would have a joyful surprise of a baby boy that would be born to them. Zacharias and Elisabeth did not have any children, and now they were too old to have a child. Had God chosen the wrong man? No, God never makes mistakes! “With God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:3737For with God nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:37)).
Zacharias found the angel’s message hard to believe, so God took away his ability to speak. When he left the temple that day to go home, there were people outside, but he only waved to them and didn’t say a word. When he got home, he gave Elisabeth the angel’s message, but he told her without saying words, because he could not speak.
Do you find it hard to believe what God tells us in the Bible? It seems impossible that God wants to take sinners like you and me to His wonderful, sinless home in heaven. He hates sin. Wouldn’t we spoil that beautiful place right away?
That’s why God sent His perfect, sinless Son to die for sinners. Jesus shed His blood on the cross so that you and I could be washed clean of every single sin—gone forever! Does this seem impossible? Come and see! God will give you a new nature that loves to please Him. And that is the nature you will take to heaven, and you will be as sinless as His Son.
When baby John arrived, the neighbors all thought he should be named Zacharias, after his father. But the answer was “No.” God had already named him “John” and told Zacharias the baby’s name that day in the temple when he was given the happy news that they would have a baby boy. Someone brought Zacharias a writing table, and he wrote, “His name is John” (Luke 1:6363And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. (Luke 1:63)). And that settled the matter.
John grew up to be a man, and he left his comfortable home and lived in the desert. His food was locusts, which some people in other lands still eat today. He also ate wild honey. His clothes were made of hairy camel skins, and he wore a wide leather belt.
John preached in the desert, and he told the people to “Repent,” which means to feel very sorry about your sins. The people listened. They came in crowds to the Jordan River to hear him and were baptized, confessing their sins. If you have been baptized, it was in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, but this was before the people knew Jesus. John’s message was, “Repent,” and he was a burning and a shining light. The people rejoiced in his light. He was preparing their hearts for the coming of the One whom we know as Jesus, the Saviour of sinners. It is good to repent, but that is not enough because we are covered with sin. Who can wash us clean from all our sins? Only Jesus! “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).
John became known as John the Baptist. Do you know why?
You may read this story about John in Luke chapter 1.
ML-09/02/2012