Tag Archives: John Baptist

Luke 7

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Luke 7: Follow Jesus Christ

                After Jesus had finished speaking with those gathered, He traveled to Capernaum, where He is asked to heal a centurion’s servant. The centurion tells Jesus that He doesn’t need Him to come back to his house, because he is not worthy of the Lord to enter into his home.  But the man still believed that Jesus could heal his servant, and Jesus did. The servant was healed and Jesus proclaimed that the Centurion had great faith.

Jesus then travels to the city of Nain. When Jesus arrived He noticed a funeral procession, where a young man had died and his mother was distraught. Jesus saw her, and had compassion on her. Jesus the goes and commands the boy to arise, and he does. Jesus brought the young man back from the dead. The people who witnessed this great even were fearful; nonetheless they were filled with a sense of joy that God had sent such a great prophet to be among them. Jesus tells the witnesses to spread what they saw far and wide. The news spread throughout all of Judea.

Some of the servants of John the Baptists come and speak with Jesus and ask Him; “…Art thou he that should come? Or look we for another?” (Luke 7:20) Jesus explains to them that it is Him who was to come after John the Baptist and while healing the sick, blind, lame and deaf He tells the messenger to relay what they saw to John. So the messengers depart. Jesus then explains to those gathered that John the Baptist was the one who was sent before Him, to prepare the way.

Jesus explains that there is “…not a greater prophet than John the Baptist…” (Luke 6:28)

Those who heard Jesus, the publicans justified God by being baptized by John. But the Pharisees and lawyers “…rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” (Luke 6:30)

Why did the Pharisees and lawyers reject the baptism of John? Because they did not understand the word of God! Instead they were not baptized by the proper authority, which is extremely important in baptism, for without the proper priesthood authority one will only get wet.

One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him, and while eating a sinful woman came and anointed Him with alabaster oil. She also washed His feet with tears and dried them with the hair on her head. A Pharisee in the dinner party took no time to criticize Jesus ; “…This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.” (Luke 7:39)

Jesus then turns to Simon and says; “There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefor, which of them will love him most?” (Luke 7:42) Simon tells Jesus that he supposes the one who owed the most would be happier and love the creditor more. Jesus explains that Simon is correct and continues; “…Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me not water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet…” (Luke 7:44-45) Jesus finally tells Simon that he failed to do many things, but because the woman was a sinner she loved much when her sins were forgiven. Jesus tells the woman that she is free from her sins and that she is forgiven. He tells her; “…Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)

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Luke 1

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Luke 1: John the Baptist

                This chapter or ‘account’ was written to Theophilus (which means ‘Friend of God’) Because of the use “…most excellent…” (Luke 1:3), Theophilus seems to be an actual personage.;

In the days of Herod, who was the King of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias had a wife [Elisabeth], who was barren. While attending to his duties in the temple, Zacharias had an angel appear before him and speak to him; “…Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John [John the Baptist].” (Luke 1:13) The angel assures Zacharias that his son will bring him great joy and “…he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.” (Luke 1:15) Why would John the Baptist be great in the sight of the Lord? Because he was pre-ordained to do so. Because of his calling and the ability to keep the presence of the Holy Ghost he would not drink wine or strong drink, why? Because these substances would only cloud his ability to feel the spirit of the Lord.

Zacharias explains to the angel that he is an old man and his wife is “…well stricken in years.” (Luke 1:18). The angel introduces himself as Gabriel and assures Zacharias that this will come to pass, but Gabriel tells Zacharias that he will not be able to speak until the day of his son’s birth. Months go by and Elisabeth conceives a son.

The angel Gabriel then goes to the city of Galilee, named Nazareth and appears to the virgin Mary, telling her that she will bear a son and his name shall be Jesus, who will “…be called the Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:32). Mary visits Elisabeth (who are cousins), Mary is perplexed because she has not known a single man (meaning she is a virgin), yet she is now pregnant. Elisabeth is filled with the Holy Ghost and tells Mary; “…Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” (Luke 1:42)

After John was born, eight days later they came to circumcise the baby and called him ‘Zacharias’, but both Zacharias and Elisabeth refused and said that the child would be called ‘John’ and being filled with the Holy Ghost, Zacharias proclaims that his son shall be called; “…the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins. Through the tender mercy of our God… To give light to them that sit in darkness…” (Luke 1:76-79)

We end by learning about John the Baptist and how he “…grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.” (Luke 1:80)