Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible





"Watch out! I'm sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly, the LORD you are looking for will come to his Temple. He is the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Watch out! He is coming!" says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies.

"Comfort! Yes, comfort my people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her heavy service has been completed, that her penalty has been paid, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins." A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; and in the desert a straight highway for our God.' read more.
Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be lowered; the rough ground will become level, and the mountain ridges made a plain.

About this time, John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the Judean wilderness, "Repent, because the kingdom from heaven is near!" He was the one the prophet Isaiah was referring to when he said, "He is a voice calling out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!'"

As they were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? Really, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? See, those who wear fancy clothes live in kings' houses. Really, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet! read more.
This is the man about whom it is written, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' I tell all of you with certainty, among those born of women no one has appeared who is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least important person in the kingdom from heaven is greater than he.

This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See! I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way. He is a voice calling out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!'"

and Annas and Caiaphas high priests, a message from God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. John went throughout the entire Jordan region, proclaiming a baptism about repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "He is a voice calling out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight! read more.
Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be leveled. The crooked ways will be made straight, and the rough roads will be made smooth. Everyone will see the salvation that God has provided.'"

So he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have observed and heard: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear again, the dead are raised, and the destitute hear the good news. How blessed is anyone who is not offended by me!" When John's messengers had gone, Jesus began to ask the crowds about John. "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? read more.
Really, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look! Those who wear fine clothes and live in luxury are in royal palaces. Really, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet! This is the man about whom it is written, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' I tell you, no one has ever been born who is greater than John. Yet even the least important person in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

This was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and descendants of Levi to him from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He spoke openly and, remaining true to himself, admitted, "I am not the Messiah." So they asked him, "Well then, are you Elijah?" John said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." read more.
"Who are you?" they asked him. "We must give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He replied, "I am ""a voice crying out in the wilderness, "Prepare the Lord's highway,"' as the prophet Isaiah said."