John the Baptist

Preparing the way

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.’

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. ”

Matthew 3 v 1-5

At school we celebrate the feast day of John the Baptist in June. We teach the children about who he was and the important role he played in Jesus' life. Prophesised in Isaiah, as a messenger sent ahead, crying out in the wilderness, John proclaims baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin, and says another will come after him who will not baptise with water, but with the Holy Spirit.Jesus comes to John, and is baptised by him in the river Jordan. The account describes how, as he emerges from the water, Jesus sees the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descends on him "like a dove", and he hears a voice from heaven that says, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased"