). John was the cousin of Jesus, the son of Mary’s

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Contents Chapter 2 The Preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew3:1-12) p. 975, (Mark1:1-8), (Luke 3:1-18) ...................................................................... 1

The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17) p. 975 (Mark 1:9-11), (Luke 3:21,22), (John 1:29-34). ........................................................... 1

The Temptation in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) p. 975, (Mark 1: 12-13), (Luke 4:1-13) ............................................................... 2

The Witness of John the Baptist (John 1:19-28) p. 1073...................................................................................................................... 2

Jesus is the Lamb of God John (1:29-51) p. 1074 .................................................................................................................................. 2

Cana Wedding (John 2:1-11) ................................................................................................................................................................ 3

The Preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew3:1-12) p. 975, (Mark1:1-8), (Luke 3:1-18)

John the Baptist started his ministry earlier than Jesus (Luke

3:1-20). John was the cousin of Jesus, the son of Mary’s

cousin, Elizabeth.

He prepared the way for Jesus (Matthew 3:1-12). He

preached to the people to turn to God. When asked why he

baptized people, John said that he baptized them with water

unto repentance but, the one who would come after him, Jesus, would baptize with the

Holy Spirit and fire.

The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17) p. 975 (Mark 1:9-11), (Luke 3:21,22), (John 1:29-34).

Jesus came to John to be baptized by John the Baptist. In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were

used as atonement to cleanse away sins. In the New Testament, Jesus offered himself as the lamb of God, as atonement for the sins of the whole world. There would be no need to use animal sacrifices to atone for sins anymore (1 Peter 3:18).

After John had baptized Jesus, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. God spoke from heaven and said “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

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The Temptation in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) p. 975, (Mark 1: 12-

13), (Luke 4:1-13)

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. Satan tried to tempt Jesus three

times.

In the first attempt, knowing that Jesus was hungry and thirsty, Satan asked Jesus to turn the stones into bread. Jesus answered and said, “It is written,

‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

In the second attempt, Satan asked Jesus to jump

down from the temple’s tallest point. The devil said

that angels would lift him up in their hands so that his foot would not

strike the stone (Psalms 91:12-13). Jesus replied do not test the Lord your

God (Deuteronomy 6:16).

In the third attempt, the devil took Jesus to the top of a mountain. While

on top of the mountain, he showed him the kingdoms of the world. He

promised to give Jesus the kingdoms of the world if he bowed down to

him. Jesus replied, Worship the Lord, your God and serve him only. (Deuteronomy 6:13).

After the devil finished tempting Jesus, he left and angels came to attend to Jesus.

Jesus emerges unscathed and triumphant, and begins to preach his central, most often

repeated proclamation: “Repent! For the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matt4:17).

His ministry begins.

The Witness of John the Baptist (John 1:19-28) p. 1073 In John 1:19-28, when the priests and Levites asked John if he was

Christ, John denied being the Messiah. He also denied being Elijah or a

prophet. He said he was the messenger of God mentioned in Isaiah

40:3. This fulfilled the prophesy in Isaiah 40:3 that he was the

messenger that prepared a path for the Lord.

Jesus is the Lamb of God John (1:29-51) p. 1074 John told two of his disciples that Jesus was the Lamb of God. John the Baptist was near the River Jordan at Bethany. After baptizing Jesus he began telling people how he had seen the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descending from heaven and resting upon Jesus. ‘I saw it happen to Jesus,’ John said, ‘’and I testify that He is the Son of God.’’ The following day, as John was standing with two of his own disciples, Jesus walked by. John looked at Him intently and then declared, ‘See!

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There is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples with John immediately followed after Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following. ‘’What do you want?’’ he asked them. ‘’Sir,’’ they replied, ‘‘where are you staying?” ‘‘Come and see,’’ Jesus said. So, they followed Jesus to the place he was staying and talked with him. One of the men was Andrew, the brother of Simon (later called Peter). Andrew then went to find his brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah!’ And he brought Simon to meet Jesus. Jesus looked intently at Simon and then said, ‘’You are Simon but, you shall be called Peter, the rock!”

The next day Jesus travelled from Bethany to Bethsaida, on the shores of Lake Galilee. It was the home town of Andrew and Peter. Jesus found a man called Philip in Bethsaida and told him, “Come with me.” Philip went to find a friend named Nathanael. He was sitting in the shade of a fig tree. ‘We have found the Messiah!’ Philip exclaimed.

‘The very person Moses and the prophets told about! His name is Jesus, from Nazareth!’ As they approached, Jesus said, “Here comes an honest man, a true son of

Israel.” ‘How do you know what I am like?’ Nathanael demanded. Jesus replied, ‘I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.’ Nathanael replied, “Sir, you are the Son of God, the King of Israel!” “You will see greater proofs than this,’’ Jesus replied. ‘‘You will even see heaven open and the angels of God coming back and forth to me, the Messiah.’’

Cana Wedding (John 2:1-11) Jesus and his

mother and disciples were invited to a wedding at Cana in Galilee. While at the wedding, Jesus’ mother told Jesus that no more wine was left. Jesus replied that it was not yet his time to start his

ministry. However, his mother told the servants to do what Jesus told them. Nearby were some very large jars of water (used by the Jews for ceremonial washing). Each held between 20-30 gallons (75-115 litres) of water. Jesus told the servants to fill the jars up to the brim. Then he

told them to draw some water out and take it to the banquet’s master. When the banquet’s master drank the wine, he was impressed with the good taste of the wine. Usually, the best wine was served first and the cheaper wine was served last.