Christian Religious Studies · Lesson 6

John the Baptist, the birth of Jesus, baptism, temptation and discipleship

JAMBWAECNECO

What the syllabus asks

JAMB: 1 The birth and early life of Jesus ((a) John the forerunner: Lk 1:5-25, 57-66; 3:1-20; 7:18-35; Mk 1:1-8; 6:14-29; Mt 3:1-12; 11:2-19; Jn 1:6-8, 19-37; 3:22-36; (b) birth and boyhood: Mt 1:18-25; 2; Lk 1:26-45; 2); 2 Baptism and temptation (Mt 3:13-17; 4:1-11; Mk 1:9-13; Lk 3:21-22; 4:1-13); 3 Discipleship (call: Mt 4:18-22; 9:9-13; Mk 1:16-20; 2:13-17; Lk 5:1-11, 27-32; demands: Mt 8:19-22; Lk…

WAEC: 13 Baptism and temptation of Jesus; 14 Call and demands of discipleship

NECO: 13 Baptism and temptation of Jesus; 14 Call and demands of discipleship

What you will learn

Compare the stories of the births of John and Jesus.
Assess the importance of John as forerunner of Jesus.
Describe the birth and boyhood of Jesus.
Determine the meaning and purpose of the baptism of Jesus.
Enumerate the temptations of Jesus, describe how he overcame them and examine their significance.
Identify the first disciples called and determine the demands of discipleship.

Key points

Gabriel announced John’s birth to the aged priest Zacharias in the temple; he doubted and was struck dumb.
At John’s naming Zacharias wrote “His name is John” and his speech returned.
Gabriel announced to the virgin Mary in Nazareth that she would conceive by the Holy Ghost; she said, “Be it unto me according to thy word.”
Elisabeth’s babe leaped when Mary greeted her; Mary sang the Magnificat.
Matthew: Joseph’s dream, the name Jesus (“save his people from their sins”), Emmanuel, the wise men, flight to Egypt, massacre at Bethlehem, settlement in Nazareth.
Luke: census, birth in Bethlehem, manger, shepherds, circumcision, presentation, Simeon and Anna.
At twelve Jesus was found in the temple among the teachers: “I must be about my Father’s business.”
John preached repentance in the wilderness, baptized, gave social teaching, and pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God.
Herod the tetrarch imprisoned and beheaded John for rebuking his marriage to Herodias.
At Jesus’ baptism the heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove and the Father declared him the beloved Son.
Jesus overcame three temptations with Scripture from Deuteronomy (8:3; 6:16; 6:13).
Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, John and Matthew; discipleship demands self-denial, priority of the kingdom, no looking back and counting the cost.

Start here: The birth of John foretold (Luke 1:5-25)

Setting

Luke opens “in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa”. Zacharias was a priest “of the course of Abia”, and his wife Elisabeth was “of the daughters of Aaron”. Both were righteous and blameless, but “they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years” (1:7). Their situation recalls Old Testament mothers such as Sarah and Hannah, whose sons came by God’s special intervention.

The angel in the temple

Zacharias’ lot fell to burn incense in the temple. An angel appeared “standing on the right side of the altar of incense” (1:11) while the people prayed outside.

“But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” (Luke 1:13, KJV)

The angel described John’s mission: he would be great before the Lord, drink no wine nor strong drink (like a Nazirite), and be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.

“And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17, KJV)

Doubt and sign

Zacharias asked, “Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man” (1:18). The angel named himself, “I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God”, and because Zacharias did not believe, he was struck dumb until the promise was fulfilled (1:19-20). When he came out, the people perceived that he had seen a vision. Elisabeth conceived and hid herself five months, rejoicing that God had taken away her reproach (1:24-25).

Lessons

God answers prayer in his own time (“thy prayer is heard”).
Doubt has consequences, yet God’s purpose still stands.
Barrenness was a social reproach; God honours the faithful.

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Practice questions

1. Zacharias was struck dumb because he

did not believe the angel’s words
refused to burn incense
named his son wrongly
left the temple early

Show answer

A: did not believe the angel’s words
Luke 1:20.

2. The babe leaped in Elisabeth’s womb when

Zacharias spoke
the angel appeared
John was named
Mary greeted her

Show answer

D: Mary greeted her
Luke 1:41.

3. In which town was Jesus born, according to Matthew 2:1?

Capernaum
Jerusalem
Bethlehem of Judaea
Nazareth

Show answer

C: Bethlehem of Judaea
Matthew 2:1.

4. What gifts did the wise men present?

Lambs and doves
Gold, frankincense and myrrh
Silver, oil and wine
Bread, fish and wine

Show answer

B: Gold, frankincense and myrrh
Matthew 2:11.

5. Where did Joseph take Mary and the child to escape Herod?

Egypt
Galilee
Samaria
Syria

Show answer

A: Egypt
Matthew 2:13-14.

Key words

Annunciation: The announcement of a coming birth by an angel; Gabriel announced the births of John and Jesus (Lk 1).
Forerunner: One who goes before to prepare the way; John the Baptist for Jesus.
Gabriel: The angel who “stand[s] in the presence of God” and announced both births (Lk 1:19, 26).
Virgin birth: The teaching that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost without a human father (Mt 1:18; Lk 1:35).
Emmanuel: “God with us” (Mt 1:23, citing Isa 7:14).
Magi (wise men): Visitors “from the east” who followed the star and brought gold, frankincense and myrrh (Mt 2).
Nunc Dimittis: Simeon’s song, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace” (Lk 2:29-32).
Magnificat: Mary’s song, “My soul doth magnify the Lord” (Lk 1:46-55).
Baptism: Ritual washing; John’s was a “baptism of repentance”.
Temptation: A test or enticement to sin; Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness.
Publican: A tax collector for Rome, despised by many Jews; Matthew (Levi) was one.
Disciple: A learner and follower; the Twelve were chosen from among the disciples.

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