Matthew 3:1-2
King James Version
3 In those days came John the Baptist,
preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying,
Repent ye:
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
What did John the Baptist, the messenger, teach?
What was he tasked to do?
Here's what Scripture says:
Matthew 3:3-13
King James Version
3 For this is he
that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias,
saying,
The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair,
and a leathern girdle about his loins;
and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem,
and all Judaea,
and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan,
confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees
and Sadducees come to his baptism,
he said unto them,
O generation of vipers,
who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves,
We have Abraham to our father:
for I say unto you,
that God is able of these stones
to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees:
therefore every tree
which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down,
and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.
but he that cometh after me is mightier than I,
whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:
he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost,
and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand,
and he will throughly purge his floor,
and gather his wheat into the garner;
but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John,
to be baptized of him.
It was a mighty task asked of John.
But he fulfilled his task, faithfully.
So much so, the LORD JESUS honored him.
In contrast, others sought his life.
Read more on the next post.
Image: Free Bible Images
