Bible lesson: Saturday, December 1, 2007

Published: December 1, 2007

"With the spirit and power of Elijah, he (John the Baptist) will go before Him (Jesus the Messiah), to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

— Luke 1:17

When John the Baptist sent messengers to question Jesus, He said, "Among those born of women, no one is greater than John” (Luke 7:28). No mere human being was greater than John at that time because John was born to parents well past the child-bearing age. Similar to Isaac being born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, people expected great things from John. Furthermore, similar only to Sampson and Samuel, John was a Nazirite from birth. People became Nazirites for life when their parents dedicated them to a life of abstinence from wine or strong drink. Nazirites consecrated themselves to living separate from the world in order to give special service to God. John, for example, preached in the wilderness rather than in the cities and towns.

Unlike others, John was filled with the Holy Spirit before his birth (Luke 1:15). When Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit within John inspired him to jump for joy within Elizabeth's womb (Luke 1:39-45). The Holy Spirit gave John the spirit and power of Elijah, enabling him to preach and prepare the way for the Messiah to come and begin His ministry.

We still need to act on the truths John preached. Between now and Christmas, the Advent season helps us prepare to receive the presence of Jesus. Some parents will need to turn their hearts to their children and love them. Disobedient people will need to become wise and live rightly.

— L.G. Parkhurst Jr.

Send e-mail to lgp@prayersteps.org.

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