Luke 1: 57-80  The day came.. and Elizabeth gave birth to John. Everyone who heard the news rejoiced! Her neighbors.. her relatives.. "were rejoicing with her".... but, no one rejoiced  more than Elizabeth and Zacharias.  They knew that this child was more than just a regular boy.  He would be "the prophet of the Most High".  He would bring the people back to the truth. His ministry was to "go on before the Lord to prepare the His ways; To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God." (v76-78)

John 's name means-"Jehovah is a gracious giver".  What a gift John was to his mother and father.. and also to Israel, the people of God. From before his birth John was appointed as "the prophet of the Most High".  His ministry was to "give knowledge of salvation".  He would show people what was needed to find "remission of their sins."  This is the message we all need to hear... there is forgiveness and pardon.. there is release from the bondage of sin.. there is deliverance.  John would teach it.. and Jesus would bring it in person.. in His Personhood as He came into the world.. lived, died, and rose again. 

John preached repentance.  He practiced baptism.. "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;" (3:3)  He announced the coming of Jesus.. "... One is coming who is mightier than I.."  He warned those who would not repent that judgment was coming if they did not take the message of salvation seriously. 

"And the child continued to grow, and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel." ( v 80)  Born only a few months before Jesus,  John would have been taught the ways of the priesthood because of his heritage.. but something happened.  Ever wonder what happened that John went to live in the desert?  Matthew tells us that John came out of the wilderness wearing  "a garment of camel's hair, and a leather belt about his waist; and his food was locusts and honey." (3:4)  John writes this " There came a man from God, whose name was John. He came for a witness that he might bear witness of the light that all might believe through him. He was not the light but he came to bear witness of the light." (John 1:7-8) John may have been born into the priestly line.. but he was meant for a far greater purpose..to bear witness of the Messiah, Jesus Christ! 

John records the testimony that John the Baptist gave and affirmed:

 In John 1: 20 - He says.. " I am not the Christ". 

 In verse 23 He says " I am a voice of one crying int the wilderness , 'Make straight the way of the Lord' " 

In verse 26 He says "I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know." 

In verse 29 He says, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"  

Vin verse 32 He says, "I have beheld the Spirit descending as dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him." 

And in verse 34  he says, "And I have seen, and have borne witness that  this is the Son of God." 

Father in heaven, we thank You for sending Jesus Christ to come and take away the sins of the world. May we hear the message of John's testimony and exhortations. May we repent and find forgiveness by the "tender mercy" that You have shown to us who have heard this great news!  Teach us how to be voices that call out the Good News so that others would come to know the Lamb of God.. the One who came to take away the sins of the world.  How we need You, Lord God!  Jesus, our Redeemer and King, we come to ask in Your Name.. that the Word of God will fill the earth more and more.. spread rapidly and be glorified for the salvation of souls. Amen .