Thursday, February 26, 2009
Ashes to the Empty Tomb
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JOHN THE BAPTIST There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. John 1:6-7
Did John the Baptist live at Qumran? See the Dead Sea Scrolls? Write any of them? These questions have gripped scholars because the Dead Sea Scrolls reveal remarkable similarities between the Essenes and John’s teachings and practices:
- John the Baptist came from a family of priests; many of the Essenes were priests who disagreed with the temple authorities.
- John was called to prepare the way of the Lord; the Essenes’ main purpose for living in the wilderness was to prepare the way for the Lord.
- John baptized people as a sign of repentance and inner cleansing; the Essenes practiced ritual cleansing in water as a sign of the soul’s cleansing.
- John the Baptist didn’t participate in the normal lifestyle of his people; the Essenes lived an isolated, ascetic existence.
Despite the remarkable similarities, John was never identified as an Essene, was not a member of any community, and cannot be placed definitively at Qumran. He proclaimed his message publicly rather than seeking the shelter of a monastic setting like that of Qumran.
John the Baptist certainly wasn’t your ordinary guy! Yet, his message of calling people to repent and prepare themselves for the Messiah is as relevant today as it was at his time some 2000 years ago.
Prayer
Heavenly Father – help me, as John did, help prepare the way in others hearts and minds to accept the return of your Son and for them to see their need for you TODAY in their lives. Amen
Heavenly Father – help me, as John did, help prepare the way in others hearts and minds to accept the return of your Son and for them to see their need for you TODAY in their lives. Amen
Posted by Tim Hetzner at Wednesday, February 25. 2009 
Categories: JOHN THE BAPTIST
Tags: Ashes to the Empty Tomb
Categories: JOHN THE BAPTIST
Tags: Ashes to the Empty Tomb
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