¹¹ Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. ¹³ 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 call him John. ¹⁴ He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
Luke 1:11-15

How did John the Baptist prepare the way?

• God uses our

to reveal His way.

¹ In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea…⁴ John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
Matthew 3:1,4

• God uses our

to reveal His way.

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.
Luke 1:76

He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 3:3

• God uses our

to reveal His way.

² When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” ⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”
Matthew 11:2-5

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist…
Matthew 11:11a

• God uses our

to reveal His way.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6

¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Luke 2:10,11