Matthew 1, Luke 1 - Come follow me with sam

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Beginnings

Its hard to picture how humbly the New Testament really began

I highly recommend seeing Savior of the World in Salt Lake City to explore these events

They should have known

I haven't done a lot of research into this but I was thinking this week about how badly prepared the Jewish nation and especially the Sanhedrin was for the Savior. Zacharias should have tipped them off; they should have known. In this situation you have

1. a priest that must have been administering the temple in jerusalem, with recognition in the religious order

2. have an experience at that very temple

3. In front of a massive crowd that knew that he was stuck in there forever

4. After which he came out completely unable to speak, and witnessed he had seen an angel.

5. after which, when Elizabeth bore a son which was a miraculous event of itself

6. He prophesied by the spirit and testified of Christ

The jewish nation, all the priests, and all those familiar with the experience, should have had their eyes and ears locked on John the Baptist, and should have been getting ready for Christ to come. I know that there were many claiming to be the Messiah, but while I can see people having a hard time seeing which one was the real Christ, they should have had no problem recognizing John the Baptist as specifically chosen by angels and witnesses as the messenger sent to prepare the way of the Lord.



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