St. John the Baptist June 24, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are remembering the Nativity of St. John the Baptist tomorrow. It is unusual for the days we remember important and faithful saints, whose service is recorded in the Scriptures or in Church History, to fall on a Sunday. So we like to use this opportunity to teach on these important examples for us.

Can you imagine being St. John. First, to know that your conception was a huge miracle from God. Second, to know that God planned for you to be *Nazarite and "Elijah" for the Messiah Jesus and third, to know that your ministry or calling would lead to your beheading. Tomorrow we look at the miracle of his conception and ministry especially the way his father, Zechariah prophesied and was obedient to the Lord!

*Nazarite or Nazirite according to Wikipedia is:
In the Hebrew Bible, a nazirite or nazarite, (in Hebrew: נזיר, nazir), refers to one who voluntarily took a vow described in Numbers 6:1–21. The term "nazirite" comes from the Hebrew word nazir meaning "consecrated" or "separated".^[1] This vow required the man or woman to:

• Abstain from wine, wine vinegar, grapes, raisins, intoxicating liquors^[2] and vinegar distilled from such.^[3] and refrain from eating or drinking any substance that contains any trace of grapes^[4]
• Refrain from cutting the hair on one's head; but to allow the locks of the head's hair to grow.^[5]
• Not to become impure by corpses or graves, even those of family members^[6]

After following these requirements for a designated period of time (which would be specified in the individual's vow), the person would immerse in a mikveh and make three offerings, a lamb as a burnt offering (olah), a ewe as a sin-offering (hatat), and a ram as a peace offering (shelamim), in addition to a basket of unleavened bread, grain offerings and drink offerings, which accompanied the peace offering. They would also shave their head in the outer courtyard of the Temple and then place the hair on the same fire as the peace offering. (Numbers 6:18)
The nazirite is described as being "holy unto YHWH" (Numbers 6:8), yet at the same time must bring a sin offering. This has led to divergent approaches to the nazirite in the Talmud, and later authorities, with some viewing the Nazirite as an ideal, and others viewing him as a sinner.

This is an accurate description.

Tomorrow we remember the faithfulness of this "saint" as we who are still "sinners and saints" can be encouraged and learn from his faithfulness even to death.

Please join us as we celebrate and remember the life and example of St. John the Baptist. We will be continuing our prayer time at 9:30 every Sunday at the EMU Site. Please join us!

Love in Christ,

Pastor Bryan