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110 - The Voice in the Wilderness
Episode 11018th July 2025 • Small Steps with God • Jill from The Northwoods
00:00:00 00:15:50

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In this episode, we explore the fascinating life and legacy of John the Baptist. As a voice crying in the wilderness, John’s message of repentance, humility, and preparation still resonates deeply. From his miraculous birth to his bold ministry, and ultimately to his martyrdom, John stood at the threshold between the Old Testament and the new covenant of grace. This episode looks at who he was, what he did, and why his role matters today.

Top Topics Covered:

Miraculous Origins: John’s birth was foretold by the angel Gabriel, and his name—meaning “Yahweh is gracious”—marked him as a special figure in salvation history.

Symbolic Wilderness Life: We discuss John’s choice to live in the wilderness, his symbolic dress and diet, and how his life mirrored that of the prophet Elijah.

A Bold Message for All: John preached repentance and readiness, challenging listeners not to rely on their heritage but to prepare their hearts.

Baptizing Jesus: This pivotal moment shifted the spiritual landscape. We explore how John recognized Jesus and why his humble act was so meaningful.

Martyrdom and Legacy: John’s courageous stand against Herod and his death are examined alongside historical accounts by Josephus and reflections from early church fathers.

Takeaways:
John the Baptist’s life reminds us to live with courage, clarity, and conviction. He calls us to be truth-tellers, to live with spiritual focus, and to recognize our place in a larger story. Whether we’re in the wilderness or in the spotlight, John challenges us to decrease so something greater can increase in our lives. He was not just a prophet—he was a witness. And his message still calls each of us to prepare the way.

By choosing to watch this video or listen to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are doing so of your own free will. The content shared here reflects personal experiences and opinions and is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a licensed healthcare provider, psychiatrist, or counselor. Any advice or suggestions offered should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. You are solely responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content.

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Jill’s Links
https://jillfromthenorthwoods.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@smallstepswithgod

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

https://twitter.com/schmern

Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

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By choosing to watch this video or listen to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are doing so of your own free will. The content shared here reflects personal experiences and opinions and is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a licensed healthcare provider, psychiatrist, or counselor. Any advice or suggestions offered should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. You are solely responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content.

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