12-JohnTheBaptist-I-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

Vol. II: Dream Maker

John the Baptist - I
HESITANT HERALD

AD 26 [1]
Jerusalem, Judea

�� The insignificant messenger has traveled a long way.� It is critical.� It is about overcoming the enemy.� It is about a new kingdom.� It is from the future king.� His methods are strange.

�� This is your chance, John.� Run while you can.� So far your life has been peaceful.� You could keep it that way.

�� "Message for John bar Zachariah.� Do you happen to know who and where he is?" he asks a guard at the gate to the massive Temple complex.

�� Indeed, who is this John?� He is destined to be the great messenger of the ages.� That's who he is.� He has always known.� The time?� It is now.

�� This is your chance John.� Run from it while you can.� So far your life has been relatively peaceful.� You could keep it that way, you know.�

�� "He's back?" a doorman asks his much older colleague at the gate.

�

�� "He's back.� And stranger than ever."

�� "How did he smell?"

�� "You know how he is.� When he reports for his annual priest service, he's a different man." [2]

�� "Why does he do it?" the guard continues.� "Why does he live like a hermit, then come to Jerusalem and dress like a prince?" [3]

�� "I don't think I ever saw his mother here more than a dozen times," the older man recalls.� "Heard she didn't like crowds.� And as for this John's quick change when he is on duty as priest, his father was a meticulous dresser.� I guess he inherited some of each of his parents." [4]

�� John is at a crossroad.� The decision must now be made.� It is a hard decision.� But does it really have to be made?� Couldn't he just run?

�� The message is delivered.� John walks slowly toward a bench while unsealing the scroll.� It is from his cousin, Jesus.� It is compelling. [5]

�� Your time is now.� The time you have lived for all your life. [6]

�� He pauses in his reading, knowing the message will forever change his life.� Is he ready?

�� You were born for this moment in time, the message continues. You are much stronger than you think you are.� God's Spirit is within you - his thoughts and his words.� You are providing him with feet to travel and a voice to speak.� You will be strong because God is strong.

�� The time is now?� No more preparing?� It is now?� Fearful but never doubtful.� Hesitant but never resistant.� Unsure but somehow bullheaded.� He must build up his courage.�

�� This young man sitting alone on a bench in the massive courtyard of the magnificent Temple of Herod ~ showplace of the world ~ takes a deep breath.� Priests, Levites, elders and worshippers ~ the holy ones ~ wander past him oblivious of an earthshaking that is about to begin.

�� But John must work at this courage.� It does not come easy.� He was not born with it.� If only he had taken after his father.� Instead, he is just like his reserved and shy mother.� [7]

�� "Oh God, give me boldness.� I know I have a weak voice, and it sounds like a woman's.� But give my words power so people can hear beyond my voice.� I know I don't always look people right in the eye.� But give me the eyes of your Spirit that can discern the thoughts of people's hearts.� I know I'm kind of skinny and don't have a commanding appearance.� But give me the bearing of a steed on whose back rides the general of God's army.� Amen." [8]

�� John pauses, takes a handkerchief out of his sleeve, and wipes his sweaty brow.� He rises.� Wistfully he looks up toward the Temple proper.� The proud Temple.� The Temple boasting the very presence of God.� The Temple reeking with man's self-appointed holiness.� He turns and walks toward the outer gate.� He'll never be back.

�� "Gentlemen," announces the high priest.� "We have a little surprise today.� I don't recall the last time this happened ~ except by direct order of the king.� But this is strictly voluntary. It's from Zachariah's boy ~ the miracle baby."

�� Some snicker and snort under their breaths.� After all, he's now thirty years old.� Others listen with reverence.

�� "Dear High Priests Caiaphas and Annas, and members of the Sanhedrin. [9] After a great deal of consideration, I have decided I must abdicate my honored position as priest inherited from my father.� I must give priority to the new Kingdom of God which is almost here." [10]

�� Silence.

�� "Well, it'll be a little dull around here without him."

�� "Personally, I have always felt he was an embarrassment to his profession.� Besides, he's such a wimp."

�� "Did you ever slip in on one of his lectures?� I did.� Just two weeks ago.� He's really hyped up about this new kingdom."

�� "He'll never carry it off."

�� Nichodemus replies from the back of the room.� "I wouldn't be so sure.� We must remember his miraculous birth.� Elizabeth was well over 60 years old.� We cannot deny it, gentlemen.� It happened whether or not we want to admit it." [11]

�� "I've heard him speak.� Once you get past his mutterings ~ well, my opinion is that we'd better all hang on to our seats.� That John's going to take us all on a bucking mule ride."

Hills of Judea, Palestine

�� John, having left the grand Temple grounds for the last time, heads east out of Jerusalem.� He stops for the night near the Jordan River.

�� He hasn't planned very well.� The next morning he awakes hungry, but has no provisions.� He gets up and seeks a rock jutting out of a small hillside and sits on it.� He meditates.� He does not know how long he meditates.� It does not matter.� Eventually he sees something hop out from under the rock ~ a grasshopper.� A large one.� Large enough to roast and eat. [12]

�� His breakfast is not one of abundance. �But it will do.� He does not need bread, for he is confident his soul can survive on the bread of God's words.� That is sufficient.� Strange, this John....

�� He wanders away from the shores of the Jordan.� Alone.� Off toward nothing where no one is likely to be.� He walks aimlessly as though not really there.� Sometimes he sits and stares at the clouds above.� More and more he feels compelled to do the work before him - announce a new and eternal Kingdom of God whose king will be Jesus of Nazareth in the northern province of Galilee.� Most people have never heard of Jesus, except for the Jesus who was high priest when the two cousins were twelve. [13]

�� "The Deliverer is Jesus, isn't he God?� I'm not just experiencing wishful thinking am I?"

�� His mind, his logic knows the answer.� For Jesus has fulfilled all the prophecies about him so far - his year and place of birth, babies killed at the time, fleeing to Egypt, and on and on. [14]� But his feelings are uncertain.� How he wishes he could expel those feelings out of their pit of doubt.

�� He notices a shrub with something hanging from it.� It is a bee hive.� He understands bees.� He watches the hive awhile, then when the time is right, he pulls out some honeycomb.� It is enough for his lunch.

�� In his aloneness, his mind digresses to Elijah, the first prophet of the Jews' tragic rebellious era about sixty years after King Solomon died ~ all so long, long ago.� How alone Elijah felt during those years while the most diabolic native king of the Jews lived. [15]

�� John in some ways understands what Elijah went through.� And, like Elijah who appeared before the king, thinks he too might speak to the governors of Israel.� Two of these governors are sons of King Herod the Great but stripped of their royalty by Caesar.� Would they even give him the time of day?� What would he have to say or do to get their attention?� Would they try to kill him as happened to Elijah?

�� The sun begins its descent.� Among some rocks, John sees more grass hoppers.� They are everywhere in the desert.� He grabs a few and saves them for a little later.� Still he wanders and thinks and tries to plan.�

�� It is cold at night in the desert.� It is not hard to find a cave.� He builds a fire, roasts his grass hoppers, and has dinner.� It is sufficient. [16]

�� What will he do to get the people's attention?� He does not have the power of miracles as Elijah did.� He is not much of a mixer.� Always uncomfortable around crowds.� How is he going to get people's attention?� Maybe he's just the wrong person for the job.

�� He falls asleep.� The next morning after breakfast, he pulls out one of several scrolls he has taken with him.� His only property really ~ that and his knife.� It is the last scroll of the series.� He rolls through it until he gets to the end, now tattered and dirty with wear.�

�� "I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that mighty day of the Lord arrives." [17]

�� I will send you Elijah....� I will send you Elijah....� Haunting.� Obsessive.� Reverberating.� Demanding.

�� He puts his scroll down and walks back in the direction of a road near the Jordan River.� Sitting on the sideline, he watches the travelers.� Nervously he watches.� Some are headed south toward holy Jerusalem.� Some are headed north to the more worldly parts - north in the direction of Syria and Istanbul and Greece.�

�� He sees a trader with animal skins thrown over two donkeys.� He signals for the trader to stop.� He pulls out his purse and gives the trader all he has.� The trader in turn gives him a large pelt of camel, and a small one of sheep.�

�� Back toward the desert he walks.� This time much more assured.� Every year he does the same thing on his return from the Temple to his wilderness home.� Only this time, he will use his clothing to deliver a silent message.� But a dynamic one.

�� On his way back toward the cave, he watches for the carcus of a desert rabbit, dinner for a wildcat.� It does not take long.� He bends down and breaks off a short leg bone.� It will work well.

�� He skips lunch, for he has important work to do.� He takes out his knife and cuts the sheep skin down the middle twice to create his thread.� He punctures a sufficient hole in the rabbit's leg bone, threads it, then sews the two pieces together to form a wide belt.� The camel pelt he leaves in one piece, but sews it, too, at strategic points.� The belt will hold it secure.

�� It is suddenly cold.� He can hardly see.� It is night once more.� He sleeps.� And dreams of Elijah.

�� The next morning John takes off his robe.� The robe of fine linen with beautiful embroidery work in it.� The one he inherited from his father.� His father's pride and joy. [18]� He will never use it again.� He throws it onto the embers of the previous night's fire.� Then he drapes the camel hair over his shoulders and secures it with his wide belt.��

�� He has always worn such clothing when alone.� Now he must go public with it.� He knows it will catch the attention of the people.� It will carry with it a silent message, a message that will reverberate in the minds of the people.� This was the clothing of the prophets in centuries past.� It was the clothing of the first Elijah.� John will now be the second Elijah. [19]

Jordan River

�� He heads back toward the Jordan River.� Back toward the highway that travels north and south, and intersects another road going east to Babylon and west into the country of Palestine.� He stops just short of it and sets up camp.� This time he camps around other people.� They stare at him curiously.� He says nothing.� They say nothing.� He walks under the stars.� He prays.� He hopes.� Then he hears the voice.

�� "You will begin tomorrow."

�� "Tomorrow, Lord?� Am I ready?"

�� "You are ready.� And the people are ready.� The common people.� They are more anxious to hear my word than you realize.� Tomorrow you will learn this.� Tomorrow you will know.� Be bold."

�� God's Spirit speaks to him within his heart, and John answers aloud, "Yes, Lord." [20]

�� The next morning John walks to the water's edge, not far off the road.� A large old tree is at the spot he has selected.� Its roots have pushed up out of the ground all the way around.� He stands on it.� It is high enough for now.� He whispers a prayer.

�� "Here goes n...., here goes everything."

�� "Attention everyone!" he calls out.� "May I have your attention?"� People not in a great hurry to get to their destination turn and look in the direction of the voice.� This man is wearing the clothing of a prophet.� What does he have to prophecy about?� It's been centuries since God has sent his people a prophet.

�� "Attention everyone!"

�� The crowd stands still ~ almost.� Curious.� Maybe impatient.

�� "My name is John.� My father was Zachariah, a priest, and my mother was Elizabeth."

�� "Hey!" someone shouts from the crowd.� "I heard about you.� My dad even knew your dad.� Born when they were old people."

�� "Let him talk, everyone!"

�� Shhh...."

�� John clears his throat.

�� "I have been sent to you to make the spiritual paths level and straight and smooth so the king of the new kingdom of God will be welcomed and honored by you." [21]

�� So far so good.� No one has walked off yet.

�� "Today is the day to repent and cleanse yourself of your sins!� Why?� Because the Kingdom ruled by God himself promised centuries ago will be here very soon now!� Get ready!" [22]

�� "You mean we get our nation back from those Romans?"

�� "Did you hear that?� God is restoring our nation to us!� Did you hear what he's saying?� Oh yes, we'll repent!� We'll do anything to get rid of those atheist rulers!"

�� "Tell us what to do, John!� Whatever it is, we'll do it!"

�� What's happening, John?� They didn't notice your high voice, your unassuming body, your emaciated appearance from eating so little.

�� He gains a little more confidence.� "Repent of your sins and cleanse yourselves before God,"John repeats.

�� "You mean the ceremonial cleansing like you priests do at the Temple?" [23]

�� "Exactly!� Wash yourselves in water as the priests have always done.� God is finally starting that kingdom where everyone will be priests as he promised Moses two thousand years ago." [24]

�� "There's plenty of water right here, John.� Wash us now before God!"

�� He's not having to beg them?� They're begging him for the privilege of the ceremonial washing?� This can't be.� These are just common traveling folk.

�� The people grow excited and almost impatient.� Some run back to their hitched pack animals for a change of clothing.� Some can't wait that long.� They interrupt John.

�� "Baptize me, John!� Baptize me!"

�� John stands amazed.� Everywhere he looks in the crowd, people are laughing with tears of relief streaming down their cheeks uncontrollably.� Tears of relief also run down his cheeks.� They're beginning to line up.

�� "Baptize me, John!� Baptize me!� I repent for myself and my nation.� Please, John, baptize me!"

�� John is forced to stop speaking way before he intended to.� He can hardly believe his eyes.� And his ears.�

�� Someone jumps up on a tree root next to John and startles him.

�� "Hey, everyone!� The Kingdom of God is at hand!� Come hear this man's announcement!� It's almost here.� It's almost here!"

�� John works to control his emotions.� "Oh my God," he whispers, "these ordinary people believe.� They're not arguing.� You were right.� They did want to hear about it.� They believe!"

�� He looks behind him and spots the shore protecting the calm, approachable water.� He steps down from his tree root and puts a hand on the back of the first person in line.� They walk to the shore.

�� God watches as the two men go into the water waste deep.�

�� God watches as the commoner repeats, "I do repent.� I do repent of every bad thing I ever did."

�� God watches as John helps the man immerse himself in the traditional ceremonial manner of washing done for so long by the priests during certain religious ceremonies. [25]

�� God watches as the man comes up out of the water.� The man is smiling.� John is smiling.� God is smiling.� Way up north in the province of Galilee Jesus knows, and is smiling.

�� "What can I do to get ready for the new Kingdom of God?" they all ask, seemingly a hundred times.� A hundred times he takes someone into the water tearfully, and leads them out joyfully.

�� It is dark.� He tells people to go back to their tents and eat with thanksgiving.� John returns to a nearby cave he staked out the day before.� He is exhausted. �Once more he forgets to eat.� He has so many mixed emotions.� Has he really been saying the right things?� Has he really be leading these people to do the right things?� Why won't that haunting uncertainty leave him alone?� The struggle.� Always the struggle.� He prays.

�� "Oh my God, is your son really Jesus?� What if I'm mistaken?� I know your kingdom is near and my birthright is to announce it and get people ready.� But who will be the new king to sit on David's throne?� God, how can I know for sure?� for sure?� for sure?"

�� His words stop, but the question goes on and on.� Echoing.� But getting louder, not weaker.� For sure....� For sure....� For sure....

�� He waits in silence.� A voice.� Whose voice?� God's unmistakable voice.

�� "The one on whom you see my Spirit descend and linger, he is the one who will immerse with my Spirit." [26]

�� "But God.� You can't see a spirit.� How will I be able to tell?� God?� God?� Where are you, God?"

��

�� God is silent, but not gone.� God chooses to say no more.� God chooses to strengthen John's faith by letting him watch for the sign.� God knows John will figure it out.� God has faith in John.� More faith than John has in John.

�� At dawn he begins working his way north along the river.� Eventually he comes to a place where travelers are stopped for their noon meal.� He wonders if there will be a repeat of yesterday or if that was just beginner's luck.

�� "Nah," he says out loud.� "God's directing the whole thing.� It's not me.� It's God."

�� To his delight, God's I-knew-you-could-do-it, and the applause of angels, he receives the same reception.� Eager reception.� No arguing.� Just simple, dynamic acceptance.�

�� The next day John repeats his announcement, and the next, and the next.� But at one of his stops, some traveling priests become disturbed by John's message.�

�� "Why aren't the chief priests proclaiming this?" they ask among themselves.� "This upstart priest in that ridiculous leather outfit is all God can find to announce his new kingdom?� John's a phoney.� He's lying to the people.� Like all those others through the years who announced they were going to start the new kingdom.� All phoneys."

�� On yet another day, Roman soldiers on their way north notice a small crowd and check it out to make sure there's no uprisings being planned.� John's words catch the attention of several of them.� They immediately respect him.� How can they?� They're hardened soldiers.� It doesn't make sense.� And eventually they too believe him.

�� "What shall we do?" one of the soldiers asks.� "Will we have to change our allegiance to this new king?"

�� "No, you can have dual citizenship, for the new kingdom is spiritual and can exist alongside the present kingdom.� To have your dual citizenship, you must repent and be ceremonially cleansed.�"

�� "Repent?"

�� "Yes, Repent for extorting your so-called protection money through blackmail or informing."

�� "He knows about that?"

�� "And be content with your pay." [27]

�� The sometimes hardened hearts - because of the nature of their work ~ soften in a few of them and they decide to follow John's instructions.� They're used to following orders.

�� On the road again.� Day after day John makes his speech.� His announcement.� His appeal.� Day after day the crowd asks him what they should do to help out and be on the good side of the new king.

�� "Repent," he always replies.� "Prove it by your actions.� If you have more than one decent outfit of clothes, share with people who don't.� If you have more than enough food, share with people who don't.� And be ceremonially cleansed in water." [28]

�� Word spreads.� Sometimes John leaves the main road and goes to a more isolated place along the river.� But people are beginning to watch for him.� Even search for him.�

�� Announcing.� Warning.� Explaining.� Baptizing in water.� Answering questions of a growingly excited crowd.

�� Word continues to spread in cities everywhere.�

�� Some government workers decide it would be worth their while to check it out.� Maybe they should get on this John's good side if the government is about to change.�

�� They go out to hear him.� Most are impressed.� His words aren't quite so political as they are peaceable.� Not quite so notorious as they are noble.� Not quite so temporary as they are, well, maybe eternal?� God's side.� They definitely want to be on God's side.

�� "We want you to baptize us, John.� What must we do to qualify?"

�� "Repent," John tells the tax collectors.�";Do not collect more than your designated amount." [29]

�� John gets down to the nitty gritty.� Where the belly of the snake meets the road.� Where the human spirit touches the eternal soul.

�� On he continues north but always within the province of Judea on the west side of the river and the province of Parea on the east side of it.

�� It's catching on.� The whole kingdom-of-God thing is catching on.

�� Religious leaders grow nervous.� The fundamentalists and evangelicals, the orthodox and ecuminicals, decide they want in on this.� From little towns and big towns they set out in search of this strange man dressed in leather.

�� "We want in on the new kingdom of God.� We can help you.� We can organize committees and get a real campaign going.� Front men to go ahead of you to attract crowds.� Copy your speeches onto scrolls and sell them.� Money solicitations to pay all your expenses - and ours too.� A headquarters building.� We'll help you do this thing up right, John the Baptizer.� So baptize us.� We stand ready."

�� But John is angry.� "Nest of snakes!"� Snakes?� Does this eccentric young man know just who he is talking to?� The religious hierarchy!

�� "Snakes!� Who warned you to escape the coming attack?" [30]

�� "Now you just wait a minute, John.� We're coming to you in peace.� We just want to repent, be baptized, and be ready for the new kingdom.� We deserve it.� Abraham, founder of our great nation, is our ancestor as well as yours."

�� This just makes John madder.� So shallow.� Stirring up mud from the bottom of their hearts.� Diseased waters.� Dangerous waters.

�� John, this is out of character.� You don't like crowds, just like your mother.� Remember?� You're a hermit.� You need to start crawling away now, John.

�� "Then produce proof of your repentance!" he shouts.� "Do not brag 'Abraham is our ancestor.' " He pauses only long enough to pick up something in each hand.�

�� "I tell you God can raise descendants of Abraham from these stones!" [31]

�� "That's pretty strong talk for an eccentric young man who couldn't make it as a priest!� Who do you think you are?� We've accomplished more in our lives in the name of religion than you ever dreamed of, John the Baptizer!"

�� Still angry.� Angrier.� They're missing the whole point.� So impressed with themselves.� Wearing sacred phylacteries.� And chains with religious symbols.� Sometimes even holy robes that flow behind them as they walk through synagogues.

�� "The battering ram is ready for the buildings, so that every building that fails to serve its purpose will be wrecked and burned." [32]

�� How could John be so bold?� But John isn't.� God is.� John is still awkward.� God is certain.� John is still sometimes too discreet.� God is dynamite.

�� The religious leaders leave, bumping into commoners and even secular leaders who've caught on.� The religious leaders just don't get it.

�� Someone else in the crowd has a question.� This someone is just a commoner.� He wants a straight-forward answer.� He is seriously wondering.� "How do we know this is the time of the new Kingdom of God?"

�� "Read the book of Daniel. It gives the exact number of years from rebuilding Jerusalem after the Babylons burned it down and the beginning of the kingdom.� That year is this year." [33]

�� Someone else in the crowd responds.� "Hey, I just read that a couple days ago.� You're right!"

�� Day after day the crowds grow.� He is ambivalent.� He must stay by the river in order to baptize people, but sometimes he needs to be left alone to rest.� No time for resting, John. [34]

�� His popularity grows.� To some he is becoming a threat.� To others he bears watching.� The chief priests in Jerusalem send representatives out to John to question him.

�� "People are debating whether you are the founder, the one destined to be the king of the new kingdom of God.� Are you?" [35]

�� "It is true I dip people in water for the well-known ceremonial cleansing of priests, but I am not the Christ, the one sent by God to begin this kingdom."

�� "If you aren't him, why are you baptizing then?"

�� "Yeah, if you're not the Messiah, who is?� You aren't working with anyone else."

�� "One much more powerful than I is coming after me."

�� "More powerful?"

�� "I am not fit to even unlatch his sandals." [36]

�� That's right, John.� Remember what you are.� Just a hermit.� A socially backward hermit who doesn't like crowds.� Why don't you go back out into the desert where you belong?

�� Sometimes John tries to do just that.� But each any more, each time he tries the crowds find him.� Some sincere.� Some not.�� More questions.� More challenges.� More dares.� Satan fights hard.

�� Satan?� Oh, yes.� Furious.� Frantic.� Satan cannot be losing this.� He's won for too long.� He's not used to losing.� So far, nothing deterring this miracle baby.� Daring.� Dauntless.� How does he do it?� He's supposed to be shy?

�� Satan once again uses Doubt.

�� "Oh God," John prays before he sets out again on the highway.� "Where is the Christ?� You promised I'd know him.� Is it Jesus after all?� I'm working my way across the country trying to get to him.� Will I make it?� Please let it be Jesus?"

�� On the road again.� Dipping.� Immersing.� Baptizing.� Water.� Must have easy access to water when he's in unfamiliar territory.� After all, he is now known as John the Baptizer.

�� Water to do the cleansing.� Ceremonial cleansing.� Soul cleansing.� Spirit cleansing.� Cleansing to meet the Son of God.� Where is he?� Where?� Must keep rolling on down the highway.� Teaching.� Baptizing.� Searching.

AD27
Bethany, Perea [37]

�� He works his way north.� His leather clothing makes him easy to recognize.� More and more people are watching for him.� And following him.

�� Someone else follows too, but from the opposite direction.� He has been working his way to the middle of the country from one direction as John has been working his way to the middle from the other.

�� The usual crowd gathers around John.� "Baptize me, John.� I repent of everything.� Please baptize me too.� Please, John."

�� And as usual, the people line up at the water's edge to be baptized.� One by one they are ceremonially cleansed.

�� There's one more person left in line.� Having escorted the previous one out of the water, John looks at the last person, whose head is turned away, and almost by rote asks, "Do you repent?"

�� The man turns and looks into John's eyes.

�� "Jesus!� What are you doing here?"

�� "Baptize me, John."

�� "Absolutely not!� I am not worthy!� I need to be baptized by you!� Why do you come to me?"

�� "Please do it.� It behooves us to fulfill all divine requirements.� I must do all that is right." [38]

�� John relents to a superior and puts his hand on Jesus' shoulder.� Jesus puts his on John's shoulder.� Together.� Silently except for the swoosh of anxious water making way for them.

�� Together.� Two miracle babies.� Now grown.� Now ready to fulfill their destiny.� Together in God's spirit.

�� John looks at Jesus once more.� "You have nothing to repent of."� He pauses.� "I know.� It's the example you must set for the rest of us."

�� Jesus smiles in agreement.� "I'm ready."

�� But he is a God-man.� How can he agree to this?� More, insist on it?� So humiliating.� And submitting to a human.� Submitting to a dipping.� A dunking.� To getting wet and messy for God the Father.

�� Down lower into the water.� Chest covered.� Neck.� Head.� Hair swirling briefly in the water.� Buried in water.

�� Something else swirling down too.� Being submerged into the universe.� Down.� Down.� Past the galaxies.� Past the sun.� Past the clouds.� Down.� Down.� Down.� Spirit!� Spirit of Love!� Spirit of God!

�� John helps Jesus up out of the watery grave, resurrected in ceremonial purity.� Jesus looks up into the heavens.� Jesus sees.

�� Yes, Jehovah God!� Come!� Come to me!� I am yours.� You are mine.� Come!

�� At that moment, the descent through the universe is completed.� Great completeness.� Divine completeness.� Almighty completeness.

�� Let the drama begin!� Drama of man's salvation.� Drama of man's eternalness lost and found.� Drama of creator and created.

�� For now, the only one in the audience is John.� He raises an arm to shield himself from the ecstatic flutter of wings.

�� God the Spirit appearing.� Briefly in the form of a little dove.� God the Son appearing.� In the form of a human.� Receiving the Spirit on his shoulder.� God the Father.� Appearing in the form of a voice.� Announcing to John the great theme of the drama:

�� "THIS IS MY CHERISHED SON!"

�� "Oh God!� I WAS right!� It IS Jesus!� Jesus IS your son!� Oh God!� I knew it!"

�� "I AM DELIGHTED AND INCREDIBLY PLEASED WITH HIM!" [39]

�� "Oh yes, God!� Me too!� I am delighted too!� We're both pleased.� This is your sign!� Thank you God!� Thank you for your sign!"

�� John raises both hands toward heaven and shouts a resounding, "Hallel!� Praise God!"

�� The heavenly voice drifts away.� The dove flies away.� Jesus is left standing alone in the water with John.� They walk out together.� It is nearly dark.� They sit on the beach.� They pray.� They talk of days ahead.� Yes, the greatest drama in history has begun.

�� "I must leave now, John.� I feel compelled to go out into the hills alone.� I've got to work through some things alone."

�� "I understand, Jesus.� God be with you."

�� "Thank you, John.� I think I'm going to need it."

�� They part.� Jesus disappears into the dusk.� John sleeps restlessly.� The next morning he heads out along the road.� But John doesn't go very far from Jesus while he's off alone.� In case Jesus needs him.� Jesus is gone forty days.

�� John resumes his work.� Now he has more confidence.� That is, when the confidence shows.� Sometimes the old reticence returns.

�� "Who are you?" one asks.� Yes, they know he's John.� But who is he claiming to represent or be?� What kind of authority?

�� "I am not the new king of the new kingdom of God ~ the Christ."

�� "Then who are you?� Elijah?"

�� Once again shyness hits John.� Why is he afraid to tell it?� "No, I am not Elijah."� John holds back.� He's been dressing like Elijah.� But would they really understand?� Should he admit who he represents?

�� "We have to give some kind of answer to those who sent us.� What have you to say for yourself?" [40]

�� Quote scripture, John.� Whenever you're unsure, quote scripture.� Let God take over.

�� "I am the voice of one shouting in the countryside:� 'Prepare the way of the Lord,' just as Isaiah prophesied." [41]

�� The next day John goes turns in another direction.� As usual, a crowd gathers around him.� He speaks.

"Look!"

�� His eyes suddenly catch the stare of someone in the crowd.� He stops speaking.� He grins broadly.� People follow his eyes to the man in the crowd.� They automatically step aside.

�� "Look!� Look everyone!� It's him!"

�� "Him?� Who him?"

�� "The Lamb of God!� He's going to sacrifice himself to take away the sins of the world!" [42]

�� The crowd looks alternately at John and Jesus.� Jesus lets him talk.� Man, is John excited!

�� "He's the one of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, for he was before me.' "

�� The crowd grows hopeful.� What is John telling them?� Is the waiting over?

�� "Witness for yourselves!"

�� John gestures with a sweeping wave of his hand.

�� "This is the God-man, the Son of God!" [43]

�� People are dumbfounded.� He looks so ordinary. Skinny even. He stays a moment, then walks away from the crowd.

�� The next day, John heads back south along the river.� A couple of men who had hooked up with John the last few days catch up with him.� One of them is Andrew.� The other is Philip.

�� John recognizes them.� They talk.� John looks away from his new followers at a man walking past them.

�� "Look!"� He points and stares.� "The Lamb of God!" The crowd turns and strains to see. �"The sacrificial lamb!" [44]

�� John's two followers hesitate.� They look at John, then at Jesus.� Which?� John is the great messenger.� Jesus is the great message.� [45]

�� John once more is at a crossroad.� Does he hang on to his followers and the power?� Or set them free?�

�� John has met the old challenge and become a powerful man.� Now the new challenge.� He must give up all that power.� Will he?� Can he?

�� John motions to them.� They understand.� He has told them what they must do.� They walk forward to John, lock eyes with him, embrace him, then walk away.� Soon they are in a run. John watches alone.

�� "Hey, Jesus, wait up!" [46]

���� LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� Tell about something you used to be shy about, but broke that pattern of shyness.� How did it happen?

2.�� Think of someone who has an obvious talent but is too shy to share it with others.� How will you help this person overcome that shyness?

3.�� Do you have a talent that no one else knows about?� Think of some way you could use it to benefit others, and decide when you will begin doing just that.

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