In this daily Bible reading is the account of the birth of John the Baptist. After John was born, John’s father Zacharias was able to speak. Zacharias was then filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied about John. Zacharias said, “For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; to give the people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God.”
Jesus’ arrival on the Earth approximately 2000 years ago was probably the most significant event in the history of mankind. God was providing mankind with the Way to Salvation. Prior to Jesus’ arrival mankind was doomed to an eternity in Hell away from God. Mankind was polluted with sin. God could not and would not coexist with man because God is Holy.
The Bible says, “Without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness for sins.” Jesus was the perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind because Jesus was free of sin. His shed blood atoned for the sins of those who would believe in Him.
Jesus’ ministry was so important that God sent John the Baptist to prepare people for Jesus’ arrival. John told people to repent of their sins because there can be no forgiveness of sin without repentance. That requirement still exists today.
