1. This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2. The prophet Isaiah wrote,“I am sending my messenger ahead of youto prepare the way for you.”
3. “A voice cries out in the desert:‘Prepare the way for the Lord!Make his paths straight!’ ”
4. John the Baptizer was in the desert telling people about a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5. All Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went to him. As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
6. John was dressed in clothes made from camel’s hair. He wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.
7. He announced, “The one who comes after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to bend down and untie his sandal straps.
8. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9. At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River.
10. As Jesus came out of the water, he saw heaven split open and the Spirit coming down to him as a dove.
11. A voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you.”
12. At once the Spirit brought him into the desert,
13. where he was tempted by Satan for 40 days. He was there with the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.
14. After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and told people the Good News of God.
15. He said, “The time has come, and the kingdom of God is near. Change the way you think and act, and believe the Good News.”