December
John the Baptist
Zechariah (God remembers)
- How many priests lived throughout Israel at the time of John the Baptist’s birth? (20,000)
At the time that Zechariah was priest, there were approximately 20,000 priests throughout the country. This was too many to serve in the temple at one time, therefore, the priests were divided into 24 separate groups, which came to about 1000 priests per group (I Chronicles 24:3-19). Eleazar and Ithamar did the duties of the priest of Israel. They were divided into 24 groups according to their children. Eleazar had 16 sons and Ithamar had 8 sons, and this is how the 24 groups were determined. The same groups were chosen the same way at the time of the New Testament. All the priest s and future priests were descendants of Levi. Zechariah and Elisabeth were citizens of Judah and descendants of Levi. Each group served about two weeks per year. Each morning, a single priest would go and enter into the holy place in the temple. (holy place is the room outside of the Holy of Holies, where they burned incense). Who would go that day was decided by casting lots (Proverbs 16:33). “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.” The meaning of this that the dice is thrown in the lap of the diviner, but the results are at random, to allow God to make the decision.
Elisabeth (Hebrew means, “My God is abundance)
- Elisabeth was a descendant of what great leader? (Aaron)
Elisabeth was a godly person. She was not only the wife of a priest but the daughter of a family of priests of the House of Aaron. She also bore the name of Aaron's wife Elisheba (Exodus 6:23), the Hebrew for Elisabeth. Elisabeth was the cousin of Mary. She was old and barren and not able to have a baby. But God had other plans, God chose Elisabeth to be the mother of the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist.
An Angel promises the birth of John
- Who was the angel sent to Zacharias to prophesy the birth of John? (Gabriel vs. 19)
Luke 1:5-25: there was in a days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7. And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both we're now well stricken in years. 8. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest office before God in the order of his course, 9. According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn the incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11. And there appeared unto him an Angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar incense. 12. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled and fear fell upon him. 13. But the Angel said unto him, fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son and thou shall call his name John. 14. And thou shall have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he should be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17. And he shall go before him in the spirit and the power of Elias, return the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready people prepared for the Lord. 18. And Zachariah said unto the Angel, whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife will stricken in years. 19. And the Angel answered said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and show the these glad tidings. 20. And, behold, thou shall be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22. And when it came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them and he remained speechless. 23. And it came to pass, that, soon as the days of his administration were accomplished (two weeks), he departed to his own house: 24. And after some days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself for five months, saying, 25. thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
Mary visits Elisabeth:
- Do you think that Joseph went with Mary from Nazareth to hill country of Judea to see Elisabeth? (answers may vary)
Luke 1: 39-56: And Mary arose in those days, and went into the Hill Country with haste, into a city of Judah ( from Nazareth to Judea would be approx. 100miles). 40. And enter into the House of Zacharias, And saluted Elizabeth. 41. And it came to pass, that, when Elizabeth heard the salutations of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. 56. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house (Nazareth)
John the Baptist is born
- Why did Zacharias name his baby John? (He was commanded by God.)
Luke 1:57- Now Elizabeth’s full time came she should be delivered; brought forth a son. 58. And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her and they rejoiced with her. 59. And it came to pass, that on the 8th day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60. And his mother answered and said, not so; but he shall be called John. 61. And they said unto her, there is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62. And they made Signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, saying, his name is John. And they all marveled. 64. And his mouth was opened immediately and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God. 75. (Zacharias’ prophecies of John) and holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76. And thou, child shall be called the prophet of the highest: for thou shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways. 77. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of sins. 78. Through the tender mercy of our God: whereby the day spring from on high has visited us. 79. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
John Preaches repentance
- What was the food that John the Baptist ate? (locust and wild honey)
Matthew 3:1-6: in those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2. And saying, repent ye: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Elijah, saying , the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare either way of the Lord and 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 locust and wild honey. 5. Then went out to him Jerusalem, (4 miles away), and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan. 6. And were baptized of him in Jordan confessing their sins.
John Baptizes Jesus
- How far did Jesus travel from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized? (65 miles)
Mattthew 3:13-17: Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan (approximately 65 miles) unto John, to be baptized of him. 14. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15. And Jesus answered and said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh unto us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16. And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were open unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting up on him: 17. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved son, and whom I am well pleased.
Jesus honor John the Baptist
Matthew 11:10-11: for this is he, of whom it is written, behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee, 11. Verily I say unto you, them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (children)
John is beheaded
- Why was John the Baptist beheaded? (He told King Herod it wasn’t lawful to have his brother’s wife.)
Matthew 14:3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Phillip’s wife. 4. For John said unto him, it is not lawful for thee to have her. 5. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6. But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before him, and pleased Herod. 7. Where upon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. 8. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said give me here John the Baptist head in a charger. 9. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given to her. 10. And he sent, and beheaded John in prison.
Invitation:
John was sent by God to introduce to the world to repentance, salvation and baptism. Today I invite you to believe on the name of Jesus and be saved. God loves you, he gave his Son to free you from the bondage of sin. Today is the day of salvation of the Lord. Call upon Him while he is near. The altar is open. Come!
Questions:
- How many priests lived throughout Israel at the time of John the Baptist birth.
- Elisabeth was a descendant of what great leader?
- Who was the angel sent to Zacharias to prophesy the birth of John the Baptist?
- Do you think Joseph went with Mary to the hill country of Judea to see Elisabeth?
- Why did Zacharias name his baby John?
- What was the food that John the Baptist ate?
- How far did Jesus travel from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized?
- Why was John the Baptist beheaded?