John 1:29-42
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is he of whom I said,
‘After me comes a man who ranks before me,
because he was before me.’
31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 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.’
34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God!”
37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?”
And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour [4 p.m.].
40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter [Cephas and Peter are from the word for rock in Aramaic and Greek, respectively).
40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter [Cephas and Peter are from the word for rock in Aramaic and Greek, respectively).
In this passage, John acts as the Church. John doesn't exist to serve himself, but to be part of God's plan. Hurray for John! I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God!
Father God, so many souls, so many needs, so many seeking You. Establish and strengthen Your Way! Help the men and women who act as the Body of Jesus Christ. Daily encourage, strengthen, lead, and empower Your children with Your Holy Spirit, the people who shine Your Light. We ask in the Highest Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
Isaiah 9:2
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,
"I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."
I watched a special on the 2,500 to 3,000 year old mummies found scattered in China. It was really well done, they documented the success and failure to obtain DNA from each mummy and told about the known history of each person. One was a 5-year-old boy buried with beautiful blankets, woven with great care. The loss of the blankets to the family indicated how much the child was held in esteem. Another, a young woman with beautiful skin clothing and jewelry. A man they thought might have been a king, buried with a horse. Everyone was surprised to find the DNA indicated a high level of travel, there was Eastern European, India and a blend of DNA from around the world.
It is human nature to come from the beautiful miracles of John the Baptist's birth and Jesus' to wonder how John can say, twice, he didn't know Jesus. Or Jesus came before John, when John is older.
Proverbs tells us there are men who knew Heaven before being born on earth. Jesus isn't part of that select group. Jesus is the Word of God, with God, at 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?
It is human nature to come from the beautiful miracles of John the Baptist's birth and Jesus' to wonder how John can say, twice, he didn't know Jesus. Or Jesus came before John, when John is older.
Proverbs tells us there are men who knew Heaven before being born on earth. Jesus isn't part of that select group. Jesus is the Word of God, with God, at 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?
So why, why doesn't John recognize his cousin Jesus?
It's pretty obvious when we add up what we know. It seems we must look at this question. 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 from Jesus. John surely heard, in his youth, about Jesus and the "funny circumstances" surrounding the quick wedding of pregnant, un-wed 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???
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.
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."
Abba, Father,
To see our Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus
as a Lamb.
The Lamb who Heals, Restores,
Rejoices in Right, Gives Hope,
Renews, is a Balm
and Strengthens,
Is to know
we want Jesus Christ to dwell in us.
Abba, send Your Holy Spirit to dwell in us.
Dwell, we ask, in the Highest Name of Jesus Christ,
in those we Love.
Help us always to Seek You First.
Your Salvation saves those who believe
and call on You.
In Jesus, we will finish well.
You uphold the Universe
with the Power of Your Word.
Your Love and Grace
Save the world in Jesus Christ.
The Gift of Salvation
and Eternal Life.
We ask about the coming Summer
and ask the ease of the dire weather
as we pray and hope in Jesus.
Bless our Nation and the Nations seeking Jesus.
Bless Ukraine with Peace and Victory.
Please, Bless Your Good Creation, for Your Glory,
more Heaven upon earth
Your Good Will be done.
Thank You, Father,
Amen in Jesus. Amen.
Jesus, God of Encouragement.
Jesus, Hope and Future.
Jesus the Lord
saves the world
Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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