Last time, I asked you to guess who was the most important baby ever born. Do you know the answer? It’s Jesus! Did you know Jesus was related to another special baby in the New Testament? His name was John the Baptist. John’s mother, Elisabeth, and Jesus’ mother, Mary, were cousins. John’s father, Zacharias, was a priest in the temple at Jerusalem. One day, an angel appeared to Zacharias, telling him his wife would have a baby son, even though they were very old like Abraham and Sarah. The angel also told Zacharias that his son would be filled with the Holy Ghost before birth! He then foretold that many would turn from their sin and trust in Jesus Christ through John’s ministry. Luke 1 tells us that baby John leaped in his mother’s womb when Mary came to tell Elisabeth that she was going to be the mother of Jesus. God was preparing John to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ before he was born. What a wonderful encouragement that God can use us even at a very young age! John the Baptist grew up to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ as the angel had told his father. Crowds came to hear him preach in the desert where he lived for a while. Then, he began preaching near the Jordan River where he also baptized many people who were turning from their sin.
About six months after John the Baptist’s birth, Jesus was born. One reason Jesus was the most special baby ever born was because He was born without sin. You and I were born in sin. But Jesus came to earth as a sinless baby so that, as a man, He could die on the cross for our sin. I’m sure you know the story of His birth: how an angel appeared to Mary, how evil King Herod tried to kill Him, how shepherds and wise men came to worship Him. The Bible also tells us Jesus was an obedient child and He loved to learn. When He was twelve, Mary and Joseph found him in the temple in Jerusalem, learning from teachers and asking questions. These highly educated men were amazed at how much the young Jesus understood. As men, John the Baptist and Jesus began preaching at the same time. John even baptized Jesus as an example to believers to show they were followers of Christ. Can you imagine how John felt baptizing the Son of God? What an amazing privilege.
John the Baptist and Jesus Christ serve as wonderful examples for children. Before you were born, God knew you and He has already planned your life! If you know Jesus as your Savior, you can start serving Him now as a young person. Pray and ask what you can do for Him today. If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, you can know Him right now. Think of that tiny, sinless baby who, later in life, died a cruel death on the cross for sin. You must hate your sin and turn away from it. Ask Jesus to save you so that you can serve Him too.