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~ (Revised Standard Version)
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
This is he of whom I said, `After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."
And John bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, `He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' "
And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."
Jesus is the Word of God, with God, in the beginning of creation. Proverbs also tells us about the joy Jesus found in Creation. Jesus was... before John.
How and why didn't John the Baptist know Jesus - his cousin?
Why can't we be more surprised by the rest of the 1st Chapter of John.
Men meeting Jesus for the first time declared to each other "this is the Son of God" in both verse 41 and verse 49 of John 1. This is far more astonishing - Jesus has men leaving their way of life behind to become His disciples in a mere afternoon of listening to Jesus.
So why, why doesn't John recognize his cousin Jesus?
It's pretty obvious when we add up what we know.
John's parents were old when he was born. As people become very aged, they do not travel greatly. Traveling was difficult even for the young. John's parents lived 90 miles (ca. 145 kilometers) from Jesus. Plus, John surely heard, in his youth, about Jesus and the "funny circumstances" surrounding the quick wedding of pregnant, unwed cousin Mary.
When we see the Gospels record only cousin Elizabeth's support for Mary, we must also remember John the Baptist probably heard more of the rumors from more of the family - who are not remembered in the Scriptures.
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
This is he of whom I said, `After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."
And John bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, `He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' "
And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."
Jesus is the Word of God, with God, in the beginning of creation. Proverbs also tells us about the joy Jesus found in Creation. Jesus was... before John.
How and why didn't John the Baptist know Jesus - his cousin?
Why can't we be more surprised by the rest of the 1st Chapter of John.
Men meeting Jesus for the first time declared to each other "this is the Son of God" in both verse 41 and verse 49 of John 1. This is far more astonishing - Jesus has men leaving their way of life behind to become His disciples in a mere afternoon of listening to Jesus.
So why, why doesn't John recognize his cousin Jesus?
It's pretty obvious when we add up what we know.
John's parents were old when he was born. As people become very aged, they do not travel greatly. Traveling was difficult even for the young. John's parents lived 90 miles (ca. 145 kilometers) from Jesus. Plus, John surely heard, in his youth, about Jesus and the "funny circumstances" surrounding the quick wedding of pregnant, unwed cousin Mary.
When we see the Gospels record only cousin Elizabeth's support for Mary, we must also remember John the Baptist probably heard more of the rumors from more of the family - who are not remembered in the Scriptures.
So .... why didn't John recognize Jesus???
For the same reasons we didn't recognize Jesus until we invited Him to be part of us.
Before we really knew Him: we heard about Jesus from other sources. Not all the sources were credible. Family (Church) is sometimes boring and the time it takes to get there and back is too long. Why put the effort into going when people aren't always nice? We missed the family get-togethers (Church) for so long, people hassle us about That too. If you don't remember the family stories correctly there is mocking. It's all a big tangle to sort out, and we have other things to do.
Then, more importantly, it comes to the decision time. As John grew spiritually into God's plan for him, Jesus became important to him. John took the time to dwell and think about who Jesus is. God revealed not just family, a good man, but a Savior. John, bravely, and with certainty says, "And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."
So this year, travel wasn't easy. We probably didn't do our 'regular thing' we do.
Just as God gave more days to Mary and Martha; for example, the day Martha didn't feel was her best day. We remember God will send His Comforter again. We will see better days.
Abba, Father God,
Jesus tells us He has found our life here as Joy. Joy is not limited to one day.
Deuteronomy 16:15
For seven days you shall keep the feast to the Lord your God at the place that the Lord will choose, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.
There are more phone calls to make. There are homemade cards to send.
1 John 1:4
And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Not just for people to receive, instead the joy of giving.
1 John 4:19
"We love him, because he first loved us."
We ask you to put the Name of Jesus Christ upon us and we are Blessed of God.
Jesus Christ, pray for us, Speak Your Word, bring more Heaven to earth.
We ask Your Abundant and Flowing Blessings upon us.
Keep us safe from disasters, quieten storms and keep the Oceans safe.
Help us to seek You first and Your Kingdom.
To Live Love, Joy and Peace. Uphold those we Love. We Trust You.
We ask for the virus to end and Joy in Recovery.
We pray for Your Word to be Spoken.
Your Help for a vaccine.
God Himself Bless, Sustain, Comfort, Guide
President Donald Trump,
Vice President Pence,
Governor Abbott and these 50 United States Governors and Legislatures.
The Administration Coronavirus Response Team, Dr. Deborah Birx, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Robert Redfield
Jesus Christ Live in us. Amen!
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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