1 - In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah. Him and his wife Elizabeth didn’t have any children and were both well along in years. They tried to have children for many years. Zechariah prayed feverously to God, but still Elizabeth never got pregnant. One night before going to bed, Zechariah started to pray and asked God to be able to have a son with his wife. In the morning, Elizabeth told him she had a dream. In this dream it was revealed that God was sending them a son that should be treated with love, as he would be coming to fulfill a prophecy.
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2 - Zechariah didn’t believe in his wife’s story until one day he was in the temple offering incense when an angel appeared in front of him. The angel stood at the right side of the altar of incense. Zechariah saw him; he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years. The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”
3 – But it was not just Elizabeth who dreamed of giving birth to a child. One of her relatives, who are well known to all of us, has also received the news of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. It was Mary, Jesus’ future mom to be. As soon as she heard about Elizabeth’s pregnancy, she traveled with Joseph to visit her. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb. Elizabeth exclaimed in a loud voice: - Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!
4 - When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives came to see her and suggested the baby should be called after his dad: Zechariah. Elizabeth then said: - No! He is to be called John. They said to her: There is no one among your relatives who has that name. Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God.
5 - And the child grew and became strong in spirit. Once he reached adulthood, he went to live in the desert, even if his parents wanted him to become a priest in the temple. He decided to go out in search of his destiny. In the desert, he had simple habits. John wore simple clothes such as a kind of long coat. Men made clothes like this from camel’s hair. He ate wild honey and locusts. After years of meditation and renouncement, he enabled his heart to become a live temple of adoration and faith to God. He had a vision in the desert. A spirit reveled to him he was chosen to prepare the way for the coming of the messiah. He, John, would be the precursor.
6 – The people were not yet prepared to understand the message that was being brought by the messenger from God. It was up to John to prepare the hearts where a new seed would be cultivated. John would have to make people get away from exterior cults so they could receive the teachings from Jesus. At the appropriate time, he started preaching around the Jordan River. The people listened to his preaching and regretted themselves. John would then baptize these individuals on the river Jordan. People then started to call him John the Baptist.
7 - The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ who would come to save Israel. John answered them all: I baptize you with water, but one more powerful than I will come. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. John preached: - The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. The crowd asked: What should we do then? John answered: The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.
8 - John was walking down Jordan River when a disturbed man begs him for help. He was feeling extreme remorse and guilt. John was felt compassionate, placed his hangs above the man’s head and said: only a free consciousness of guilt can bring us peace. It’s not just enough to clean our bodies if what we have inside of ourselves in impure Purify your heart first by practicing goodness to those around and you will see peace will return to your heart. John continued to preach, preparing the way for Jesus.
When his fame spread wider, John talked about the coming of the Messiah. When he immersed the head of his followers on the river, he would say to them: I baptize you with water today, but tomorrow one more powerful than I will come who will baptize you with fire. You must follow him. The thongs of his sandals I am not worthy to untie. John’s fame was spreading around. Dozens of people came to him to listen to his words, which brought consolation to souls who were truly repenting. Many were baptized by him and. This way they were getting ready for the coming of Jesus.
9 – Time went by and John’s followers were increasing in numbers. One day, a man approaches John to be baptized. John could feel the vibrations of peace and harmony that superior being was emanating. That person was Jesus. John looked at him in the eyes and said: Why do you ask me to baptize you. You have no sins. Jesus then looked at John and said: The task that you must fulfill in the great work of the Lord is just beginning; much more will need to be done so that the seed I came to plant germinates and fructifies. Jesus then stood on his knees. Lights from the sky suddenly lightened up the scene and a voice from the sky said:” You are my Son, whom I love; with you I entrust my compassion.” When Jesus was standing back, John talks to his followers: - That is the Master you must follow; He is the one I came here to announce.
10 - John the Baptist continued to baptize, peace and point out mistakes and sins so the people regretted themselves. John’s fame reached the kind, who was afraid of the way John talked. He was also concerned of the way the people listened to him and gave him credit. John boldly criticized the king and the court, which awakened Salome’s anger. She was loved by the king. Salome took advantage of the kind’s weakness and requested the head of John the Baptist. He locked John up in prison.
In prison, John is visited by Jesus, with whom a deep look is exchanged. There was no need to say anything else: John’s task was finished, he would return to the spiritual world and Jesus would continue with his mission; the one that John initiated with dignity.
11 – On the following day, John’s head was given to Salome. Jesus started his mission as the one who was sent from God. Several disciples followed him. One time Jesus was questioned about the prophecy of Malachias, who said Elias would return to announce the coming of the Messiah. Jesus then answered: Elias has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. At that time there was no messenger who was as brave and loyal to God as John the Baptist, who prepared the way for our Master’s preaching: Jesus Christ.
Book - 4º Volume, Brincando e Aprendendo o Espiritismo (John Batista), edited by FEESP and Book: Historias Bíblicas Favoritas - Joao Batista / TODOLIVRO LTDA - text: Cristina Marques
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies