Jewish families are close knit and Mary stayed three months just before Elizabeth gave birth to John. The child grew and at an early age, would spend time in the desert seeking God as he knew there was a calling on his life. By revelation he knew his cousin Jesus was a special young man, and that he was to announce the soon to be ministry of Jesus. Time passed and both men grew and matured.
Both young men were now 30 years of age, and we find John preaching repentance and baptizing believers in the river Jordan to show they have buried their old life and have risen to a new life.
The people asked John if he was the Messiah, but he denied saying; "I am sent to prepare the way for Him." John said this about Jesus in Luke chapter 3:16
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comes, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
As it happened one day, we read in Mark chapter 1: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets:
“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.”
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’ ”
Who will prepare Your way before You.”
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’ ”
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea , and those from Jerusalem , went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River , confessing their sins.
Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
(John Baptizes Jesus: Notice Jesus is physically in the water, The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus like as a dove, and the Father's voice declares this is my Beloved Son. God is revealed in 3 personalities, Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan . And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus left John and the people departing into a desert place to fast and pray for 40 days. At the end of the time, Satan came to tempt him, but he quoted scripture and would not yield to Satan. Then angels came and ministered to Jesus giving him bread and drink.
If you have been tempted - - you are not alone. The thing is to NOT yield and to come out smelling like freshly baked bread and sweet as cool water.
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