Who exactly was John the Immerser?

His story begins when his father Zechariah, a Levitical priest, was selected to burn incense in the Holy of Holies. While conducting this ministerial duty, he had an unexpected, divine encounter with the angel Gabriel who informed him that his barren wife, Elizabeth, would conceive and have a son.

According to divine instruction (Luke 1:1-13), Zachariah was to name his son Yochanan (John). Like his father, John was a descendant of Levi and therefore called to the priestly office. This is significant because according to the Torah, the priests were the ones who presided over and conducted the sacrifices on behalf of the entire nation of Israel (Exod. 29, Lev. 1-4). Thus, when Adonai Himself presented the true and ultimate Lamb of God, Yeshua haMashiach, it was Yochanan (John), a Levite, who announced his arrival saying: “… Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Read the full article here: Issue 34