John the Baptist

With a voice that seemed to carry for miles, the Prophet was saying, "You blind and thoughtless people! You live as if there is no tomorrow. Don't you know that the axe is already at the root of the trees? Don't you know that every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire? Don't you know?"

The Prophet had a kind of desperateness about him as he would call out to the multitudes that stood hushed along the banks. "Don't you know that the Kingdom of God is at hand, that Messiah is nearly come? Don't live in your sins any longer! Cleanse your hearts and your ways, and be baptized! Wash away your sins and receive forgiveness from your God!"

Jonathan had been one of those who had waded into the water in response to the Prophet's call. "Yes, Lord, cleanse my heart," he had prayed. "Make me ready for your Kingdom." And as Jonathan came up out of the water he had felt God's forgiveness and newness. At thirteen he had become a son of the Law. Now he was a son of the Kingdom, too.