John had quite likely lost track of his cousin during his own scholarly and Godly pursuits.  On the other hand he may even have tried to recruit Him into the Essenes because he had always known there was something very special about his younger cousin although he did not know precisely what it was.  Perhaps he was still hoping that his cousin would leave the carpenter shop and join him in preparing the path for the mighty Messiah who would manifest miracles and whom he knew was due to arrive at almost at any time now.  Perhaps Jesus (Isa) had even gone out to hear John preach a time or two.

John’s message of preparation also pointed to something much better than mere water baptism because the Messiah was coming and the Messiah has the ability to baptize people with the Spirit of God.  Water can cleanse the outside only but the Spirit of the one true God of Father Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob can cleanse our innermost being.  John’s goal was to get people turned around from the path they were on and redirected towards the one who was greater than he; the one whom all men, without exception, need.  Remember this, the teachings that Isa will return show that we really need to know who Isa is and what He taught and expects from each one of us according to the Holy Bible.

Injil Markus 1:9  And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

Jesus probably began His public ministry 27AD, when He was approximately 30 years of age.  As far as we know, he had spent most of his life in Nazareth.  Jesus approached the water where John was preaching and baptizing and perhaps John thought for a brief moment “Cool, here comes my cousin, perhaps he’ll consent to being part of my ministry preparing everyone for the arrival of The Messiah.”  Mark does not relate the brief exchange that took place between the two, which is something which was left to another gospel writer to tell us more about.  But suddenly John recognizes who Jesus really is because the God revealed the truth to him and he exclaims “I need to be baptized by You.”  And John begins telling his own followers, “Follow Jesus, He is the one I have been prophesying and preaching about.  Jesus is the Holy One of God.”

1:10  And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

1:11  And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

For those who have eyes to see something very important has been revealed.

John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance intended for those who were sorry for their sins and desired to express their determination to be completely done with them.  What did such a baptism have to do with Jesus?  Wasn’t He the sinless one and therefore such a baptism would be irrelevant and unnecessary in His case?  Short answer, yes.

Jesus took upon Himself the likeness of sinful flesh in that although He was perfectly pure and unspotted, He chose to be washed as if He had been polluted.  Therefore for our sake He sanctified Himself so that we also might be sanctified and be baptized with Him.  Jesus was and is the holy one from the one true God and He gave us the pattern of living the one true God desires to see reflected in each one of us.

1:12  And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

1:13  And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

“As soon as” He was baptized there was a voice from Heaven affirming Him and then He went into the wilderness for a period of time.  Matthew and Luke expand upon that wilderness experience but the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark marches on without even pausing for a breath.

John’s heraldic ministry was now wrapping up and it had accomplished much of that which it was supposed to.  Better results would have been nice but there was a resistance to his message.  Unfortunately that is the old, old story in that so many oppose God and His true messengers.  Fortunately, however, some do pay attention and obey.  So John exits the stage and the main feature begins because the long-awaited mighty messiah who manifests miracles is taking center stage.

1:14  Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

1:15  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The good news from, as well as about the one true God, the God of Father Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  He was calling for a change of heart and lifestyle.  He also had the message that the one true God actually cares about and loves us enough to send Isa (PBUH) to us to demonstrate that fact.  He is still trying to communicate that message to any who will stop and listen today.

–Pastor Ward Clinton