John the Baptist

Choice 1: Matthew 11:1–19; Luke 7:18–35. John the Baptist

1.    Read Matthew 11:1–19 and Luke 7:18–35. What did the two disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus Christ? The Savior told them to go back to John and tell what they saw and heard. After reading these accounts, explain three things you would have told John if you had been with those two men.

The two disciples that John sent to Jesus asked if He was the one they had been looking for or if they needed to still look for the Messiah.

1. He is the Messiah. He performed many miracles (Causing the blind to see and the lame to walk, etc…)

2. He raised men from the dead.

3. He caused the deaf to hear.

2.    Read the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 11:2–3, “Did John Doubt That Jesus Was the Messiah?” (p. 66). Explain why John wanted his disciples to go to Jesus Christ.

John wanted the disciples to go to Jesus for themselves, because a true prophets always points us toward Christ and encourages us to come unto Him.

3.    Read the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 11:11, “No Greater Prophet than John the Baptist” (p. 66). What did the Savior say about John the Baptist in Matthew 11:11 and Luke 7:28? Provide three reasons given by Joseph Smith why John the Baptist is considered among the greatest prophets.

The scriptures say that “there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist”.

1. He was the one to help prepare the way for Jesus. No man has ever been entrusted to do that.

2. He was entrusted to baptize the Son of Man.

3. He was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom on the earth.

4.    What does John 3:30 suggest about John the Baptist and his attitude toward the Savior? Briefly describe how we could apply a similar attitude in our own lives.

He said that John must increase, but I must decrease. I believe that he meant that we need to increase in faith and trust in Him. His presence wont decrease, but He expects us to trust in Him so that we don’t need to ask Him in everything which we should do.