The Word Became Flesh 

     Centuries ago, Jewish leaders baptized themselves in a formality.

     Then came a man named John was baptizing people from Jerusalem and all Judea in the Jordan River, for the forgiveness of sins. Not normal. (A nomad(?), John was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, related to Mary, who gave birth to Jesus.) 

     Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask John who he is. "Are you Elijah?" "I am not," he said. "The Prophet?" "No." "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us." 

     John replied in the words of Isaiah, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" - (Isaiah 40:3)

     Jews were waiting for the Messiah. Some Pharisees questioned John, "Why do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah nor the Prophet?" John answered, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the throngs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." 

     "The next day, John saw Jesus and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world! This is the one...the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." 

Tomorrow: Baptized in the Spirit