THE PREACHING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

At  that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judaea and started preaching.  “Turn away from your sins,” he said, “because the Kingdom of heaven is near!” John was the man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said,

“Someone is shouting in the desert,

‘Prepare a road for the Lord;

make a straight path for him to travel!”

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair; he wore a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.  People came to him from Jerusalem, from the whole province of Judaea, and from all the country near the River Jordan.  They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan.

When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees  coming to him to be  baptized, he said to them, “You snakes--who told you that you could escape from the punishment God is about to send?  Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins.  And don’t think you can escape punishment by saying that Abraham is your ancestor.  I  tell you that God can take these stones and make descendants for Abraham!   The axe is ready to cut down the trees at the roots;  every tree that does not bear good fruit will  be cut down and thrown in the fire.  I baptize  you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.   He is much greater than I  am;  and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals.   He has his winnowing shovel with him to thresh out all the grain.  He will gather his wheat into his barn, but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.”

(Mathew 3:1-12)

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ