John the Baptist
No, nope. Nada. No. Nu huh.
Matthew 4:12-25
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 ‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned.’
17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’
18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
These Disciples traveled by damp boat and walked the dirt paths called roads.
They didn't wear short clothing of the Romans. Jesus said He had come to feed the Children of Abraham to the Syrophoenician woman.
Jesus the same Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
In the End is the Beginning
When the Lord said, "Let there be Light" And Spoke several times about boundaries and propriety of His Creation, He has deemed Good, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. The Lord created Eden to be enjoyed two by two, and Adam and Eve as well. Jesus moved His entire Life to complete the Ministry of John the Baptist.
John the Baptist was done a great disservice in the Renaissance, as the Second Vatican was being rebuilt and flourishing with art. He is painted over and over as something popping out of a cake at a Revival Tent. In a day when people wore excessive garments, the Romans did not. John called the people away from the massive Temple where Herod chose what was done, and they came to the wilderness to find something far different from the rituals, the songs of ascent. John called for Repentance and Seeing A New Beginning. John drew so many, lives were changing, and the Temple was wondering why this wasn't in their ritual.
If John the Baptist was Ringling Brothers, why did the Disciples come from John the Baptist. Andrew was definitely part of John the Baptist's Disciples. We have The Lord's Prayer
from Jesus chosen Disciples demanding help as John the Baptist had given in Prayer. The Disciples didn't put this demand casually or politely. Jesus was answering a don't eat from the Apples group of men.
Jesus has His own ministry in conjunction with John the Baptist. The evening of the loaves and fish, Jesus is walking late on the water when He rescues Peter. Peter is saved just as John the Baptist passed to a Heavenly Kingdom.
The Continuity of John the Baptist. John has started a Revival for Jesus. Peter is going to continue the Revival.
History? Far from History! Today!
We are seeing a Revival of Faith. The Bible was the most searched aspect during the Pandemic in Google.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
The Scriptures are alive and tell the story to be remembered and lived and held dear.
Matthew 14
30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”
John the Baptist had doubted. Jesus was strong in His Response. To give Strength.
Peter had been with Jesus to know, see one, do one. Faith. Prayer. Jesus. Miracles.
Acts 3:6-8
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
rise up and walk!”
And he took him by the right hand and raised him up,
and
immediately
his feet and ankles were made strong.
8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
We are this today! Immediately we want God to show Miracles and we want to walk, leap and Praise God! Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. The people, fed by the Lord in the Miracle of God, Miracle of the Loaves and Fish, do not return to give thanks. Instead, Jesus is later telling the people, you want free food.
Faith is like Easter Eggs, Blessings arrive hidden in reality. Mercies do Renew Each Day. The work given to us by God is to work to believe JESUS. And who has failed to do this? John the Baptist, Peter and even in John 21, Peter squabbles with Jesus Victorious and Alive.
Which brings us back to the Scripture.... Why in the world would God send His Son who arrived in Bethlehem, check, moved to Egypt, double good check, check. Miraculous return to Nazareth after the Herod has died. Sent by an amazing Dream, Again.
Why would God choose Capernaum?
Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali.
Are you kidding, Zebulun and Naphtali?
Zebulun is the sixth son. By Leah. Yawn. And Naphtali is the son of a slave who didn't want Jacob. Bilhah. Given without her consent, as a job. Bilhah later wants to leave Jacob for his son Reuben. Why would Jesus be in this land?
Gentiles are forgotten in the Temple. Signs say No Foreigners or Gentiles. Zebulun isn't getting a Multi-Colored Coat, nor Naphtali. John the Baptist was in Short Clothing. Togas and Roman Uniforms are not easy to come by, when Dad is a Rabbi.
How does this Relate to the New Covenant Jesus planned carefully and with Majestic Glory of His Father's Divine Provision? THE NEW COVENANT for the Salvation of the World for MILLENNIUMS?
Luke 6: 12-16
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:
14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Not one of the Disciples are destined to write a Best Seller. Paul has the glamour, but he has missed The Boat. None of the men show up to the NEW COVENANT in a multicolored coat. None of the Disciples are recorded as coming up to Jesus and being completely grateful. With the Son of God in front of them, they aren't recording with any special attitude, setting them up in the Fruits of the Spirit. They are not recording their blessings renew each day. In fact, when the few set out to explain, in hindsight, all they can speak of is .... Jesus.
None of these men seem called to Live Grace. Fearful. Planning Power in Prayer. Always asking Jesus for something rude. Like Power. (Judas went with the group in the Power Search, but he probably decided to put more top level energy in the Power grab.) They had sincerity and honest rude commentary and deeds. Fearful men. We call these men Disciples. Jesus referred to them as Apostles. Men who had been given more than they could ask or imagine. Not like David, David records his life, we have two Huge Books in the Scriptures. We know how old David was when he died and the suffering in passing on.
The men who had been given so much more than they could ever live up to, by the Light of the World, spoke of Jesus. According to the riches of his glory Jesus granted them to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in their inner being, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him, who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Display the Overwhelming Love God
has for all of His Good Creation. You.
Jesus describes this Life as Joy. The Joy of the Lord is our Strength.
Abba, Father,
Dwell in us,
Give us Your Blessing, we ask.
Let the Joy we have in You
be our Strength.
In Jesus, we want Your help to seek You first.
And we will finish well in Jesus Christ!
For my son Alexander to find employment locally.
For Cal, far away and his safe travel.
For my eye to continue to heal perfectly.
My ankles and feet are better
and to heal each day!
In this day,
we will make Requests of Jesus.
In the Holy Name of Jesus,
We pray all those who have been
strengthened and encouraged
during the Pandemic
in their faith,
Will Remain in Your Joy and Love.
We Pray for this Nation
and the turbulence we see
we pray for truth.
We pray for Ukraine
the people will not have the
Easter of last year
or during the Pandemic.
We pray for their Strength.
We pray for our families
not to accept the unacceptable
for their Children.
A Nation protects their Children.
Now to Father God, Who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
to Him be glory in the church and
in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations,
forever and ever.
Amen.
The Mercy of Your Touch, Jesus. Amen.
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♔ LORD JESUS SAVES †
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