The New Testament

Hello, all!

I am in an online New Testament class this Fall, so I wanted to blog about it. Blogging is a great way to spread the Gospel, so I thought this was an excellent idea.

This week we read Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, John 1:1-18, and John 17:1-5. It was all about the birth and childhood of our Savior Jesus Christ, but for this blog, I will focus on Luke 1:5–80.

This scripture passage is all about John the Baptist. as I was reading it, I realized how important he is, and how his birth was essential to Christ's mission. The scriptures talk about how John the Baptist was going to be a powerful man and assist Christ in his mission.

Luke 1:15-16 says, "For 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 Hold Ghost, even from his mother's womb. and many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God."
This scripture reminded me of Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;"
John the Baptist's job is a great one: he is responsible for returning many children of Israel to the Lord. He makes their salvation possible in a way.

So I am supposed to discuss reasons why people would rejoice over John the Baptist's birth and mission. Luke 1:17 explains, "And he shall go before him in the spirit and the power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." So that scripture basically defines his mission. Without him, many people wouldn't be baptized. They wouldn't know the joy that the Gospel brings, and they wouldn't be able to return to their Heavenly Father.

John the Baptist was truly an amazing man. It would be great if we were all more like him :) I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior, and that he sacrificed himself so we could return to live with our God.