Closer than Cousins - January 18, 2026
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod • • world
Key Points:
- Jesus and John the Baptist were relatives, with their mothers Mary and Elizabeth being cousins, making Jesus and John cousins as well.
- John the Baptist served as a herald, preparing hearts for Jesus by preaching repentance and faith, and identifying Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
- Jesus and John shared a close relationship, with Jesus being baptized by John and later acknowledging John as a great and shining light among those born of women (Matthew 11:11).
- While John’s role diminished as Jesus began his public ministry, every follower of Jesus is intimately close to Him, especially through receiving the Lord’s Supper, which offers forgiveness and true communion with
