Gabriel Tells John: Jesus is the Man You Have Been Expecting

 

John the Baptist was a priest (because he was the son of Zechariah), and he had a legal right to perform the rite of Mikveh. In first century Judaism certain human discharges, animal parts and any blood were considered unclean. The purpose of immersion was, and still is, to ritually wash them away to achieve spiritual purity.

John the Baptist was at Bethany (Bayt ‘Anya) on the eastern side of the Jordan River (Bethany beyond the Jordan). It is likely the Jordan River was considered unclean for baptism because there was silt in the water. However, clean, pure water was available from springs and tributaries that ran into the Jordan. From one of these John was able to create a Mikveh basin (pond) where he could perform the ritual. For Jesus and many others it took the form of Tevilah (full body immersion).

John’s use of full immersion as a means of washing away the past and starting a new future suggests that at some point he was influenced by the Hindu ritual of full immersion. It is not necessarily a ritual of cleanliness. Instead, he apparently used it to separate a person’s past from the life they would lead in the future. Old sins are washed away and we are free to begin a new life without the burden of our past mistakes.

I choose to believe Jesus understood the significance of John’s beliefs. When Jesus crossed the plain to find John, he was ready to begin his ministry. God had given him a mission. There was no turning back. The Mikveh ritual would have a specific purpose. Full immersion baptism would confirm the truth of his dedication.

Baptism washed away Jesus the man. As he is raised up, Jesus the Son of God is revealed.

…………

27 A.D. Late July.

John was baptizing on the east bank of the Jordan River where the road from Jerusalem and Jericho crosses into the lands of Peraea. The location of the river has changed over the last 2000 years and the site is now called Bethany Beyond the Jordan. When Jesus went to see John, he had been preaching and baptizing for about a year.

John’s reputation had spread all the way to Jerusalem in the west, Philadelphia in the east, Qumran in the south, and Capernaum in the north. He often delivered an apoplectic message, challenging his congregation to consider all they had done that was sinful, and urging them to repent. Some of those who heard him speak began to wonder if he was the true Messiah. Even the priests in Jerusalem became alarmed that John might be able to overturn their authority. But to all of them, John had the same answer:

“When you come to me for repentance, I will baptize you with the waters of the Jordan.  But one who is more powerful than I is coming, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. He will separate the wheat from the chaff–and the chaff will burn in a never-ending fire.”

***

It had been a busy morning for John and he was pleased that twelve travelers had volunteered to be baptized. He was feeling compassionate. In his message he had even encouraged his listeners to be kind to tax collectors. The road was now empty and John decided to have something to eat. Resting under a tree, eating his lunch of bread and dried fruits, he noticed a man coming toward him from the direction of Jericho. As the man drew closer, John felt compelled to get up to greet the stranger. But the man motioned for him to remain under the tree and - after a brief handshake - sat down beside him.

“Do you know who I am?” the man asked.

“I believe I should know you,” John answered.

“I am Gabriel, the angel who told your parents about your conception and announced the birth of Jesus to several people.”

“My mother Elizabeth told me about your message, and your punishment of Zechariah for his lack of faith. I should know you for your deeds....  I thank you for giving my father his voice. ”

“Your father was a good man, John. He was just a little suspicious of my message. As soon as he believed, I let him speak again.”

John felt a little uncertain. “And what are you going to tell me?”

“I have good news.... God urged you to go north to find Jesus, did he not?”

“Yes. I found him in Bethsaida.”

“And you accompanied him on his travels?”

“Yes. I encouraged him to travel. As it happened, he wanted to learn how to heal. So we went to find the best training.”

“Micah and I want to thank you for your service–and so does God...” Gabriel paused to adjust his place under the tree.

“We have another task for you.”

John was not surprised. He had been thinking of Jesus and was sure his friend would soon be ready to start his own ministry as a preacher and healer in Galilee.

“How can I help?”

“Jesus has become the man you have been expecting. Jesus is the Messiah. He has made a conscious connection with God. He now calls God his father. God calls Jesus his son. God has given Jesus a mission. He is to deliver God’s message to all who will listen. Jesus is ready. He will come to you to be baptized. It will be a baptism of dedication to his ministry. ”

John was stunned. Gabriel’s words were far more important than anything he could have anticipated. All his dreams were coming to pass. All his prayers had been answered. He was overwhelmed with the realization his friend.... his friend was the man he had been expecting… his friend Jesus is the son of God!

“This is glorious. I knew my friend was an exceptional man. On our trip I believe he was able to project the power of God on several occasions.... And now I know he really is the one we have been waiting for.... And to think I was able.... I was able to help him make the transition.... I am humbled by your words.... When is he coming?”

“Late this afternoon. Complete the baptism and encourage your disciples to follow him.”

“That will not be difficult. Andrew, Simon and Philip are looking for a leader who will take them on a spiritual quest. They are here – but of course you already know that.”

“You don’t mind encouraging them to follow Jesus?”

“If Jesus is the son of God, then they must follow him!” John responded with conviction.

“Then may God bless your efforts.”

Gabriel stood up, gave John a benevolent smile, and vanished.

………..

For John, the realization his friend Jesus was the man he had been expecting must have been a thrilling moment. He knew it was the beginning of a ministry that would change the world.

Ron

Text from “Am I Your Son?”

“I believe I am destined to be the mother of all God’s children.”

 

Author’s note:    Mary, the mother of Jesus, is revered in both the Koran and the Bible.

25 A.D.  September.

Evening.   Mary, Jesus and John sat close to the fire and talked about the future.  Jesus appeared to be deep in thought.

“What are your plans?” Mary asked.

“Deborah told me she will take care of your needs. Joses and Simon are here for you. And you will be very busy with your grandchildren. If anything goes wrong, I will come back.”

Jesus paused for a moment, looking into the fire as though his future could be found in the flames.

“I will go back to Capernaum. I have friends there. They will help me to reestablish myself as a carpenter. I will have enough income to feed and clothe myself. If I run out of work in Capernaum, I am sure to find it down the coast in Tiberias.  And I need time to think about my future.  Alexandria was a great experience for me as it was for John.  We both learned a lot.  Although my thoughts lean toward healing and teaching, he has become more interested in baptism and preaching.”

Jesus turned to John and grinned at his friend.  “I do think he has already made up his mind.”

Jesus turned back to look into his mother’s eyes “I feel as though I am being encouraged to have a special relationship with God.  He wants me to do something.  Both you and my father have suggested I should think of God as my father.”

Mary smiled with deep affection for her son.  Now? She thought.  Not yet, God responded.

Mary knew she needed to change the subject. With some reluctance, she turned to John.  “And what are your plans?”

“I would like to spend some time with the Essenes in Qumran. Like Jesus, I am being encouraged to establish a closer relationship with God. Meditating with the Essenes will clear my head and give me direction. If I am to be a successful preacher, I must have a strong message that will resonate with my audience.  And Jesus,” John smiled at his friend “has told you I plan to combine baptism with preaching.”

“Baptizing like they do for children?”

“Oh much more than that,” John responded enthusiastically “here let me show you.”

With that John quickly got up and took a stance with his feet spread apart.

“See how I stand with my feet positioned so I have a flexibility of movement?” 

Mary nodded in agreement.

“This is full immersion baptism.  I place one hand under the person I am baptizing to support them and one hand on top of the person so I can hold on to their hand or arm.  I lower them into the water until their face is completely under water.  Then after a moment of prayer, I bring them up out of the water and help them to stand up.”

“Where did you learn this?” Mary asked.

“From a Hindu we met in Alexandria. They believe all water is sacred. By immersion in a river, the pure are made even more pure, and the impure can be cleansed of sin–even if only for a while.”

“Complete immersion is a cleansing process?” Mary asked.

“Yes. We wash away past sins and create a new life that is without sin.”

Mary glanced thoughtfully at her son. “And what if the person being baptized is without sin?”

“For them, baptism is an act of dedication and a commitment to a virtuous cause.”

John paused for a long moment and then added “when I do a full immersion, as I bring them up out of the water,  I will be creating a new life.”

Jesus grinned at John’s enthusiasm. His friend had found his calling. All he needed was to think out his message.

John turned to Mary. “Have you been called to do God’s work?”

Mary did not answer right away. Then she said quietly: “Joseph and I were called long ago.  Our first obligation has been completed.  From now on, I will help my son to do his work and” she paused again ... deep in thought   “I believe I am destined to be the mother of all God’s children.”

Well Lord, I am doing what you asked me to do...

 

Author’s Note

The relationship between John (the Baptist) and Jesus Christ has always puzzled me. When an angel told John the truth about Jesus, of course he was elated. But there has to be more to this story. Why did John accept the announcement with so much enthusiasm? Why would John be willing to defer his own ministry to favor the work of Jesus Christ? Why did Jesus seek him out to be baptized?

The answer to these questions is obvious. John and his cousin Jesus were good friends. Although we do not know how, when or where their friendship started, it provided the basis for their interaction when Jesus started his ministry.

I know I am speculating, but I choose to believe God sent John to join with Jesus while these two men developed their respective theologies and philosophies. By age 27 Jesus had already discovered his special relationship with God. John had begun to preach (without much success). In my novel ‘Am I Your Son’ God sends Gabriel, an angel, to find John. He tells John to join with Jesus to prepare for their respective ministries. What follows are months of learning and contemplation. As a result they share many beliefs, including the ritual importance of full immersion baptism.

John began his ministry at the river Jordan in 26 A.D. It should not be surprising Jesus would seek out his friend for baptism when he was ready to begin his work in 27 A.D.

In this scene from ‘Am I Your Son’, Jesus meets John for the first time. Salome is Mary’s sister, and mother of James and John Boanerges. When her husband Zebedee deceased, he left her a prosperous estate. Salome is destined to witness the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. James and John will become apostles.

.........................

From Am I Your Son

Jesus was about to knock at the gate when Salome cautiously opened it just a little - recognized Jesus - and threw the gate open. “Jesus!” she exclaimed “how nice to see you, come in, come in.”

Jesus gave her a big loving smile. “I have just delivered a cart to a farmer near here, and I thought it would be nice to see my mother’s sister again.”

“I’m so glad you did.... and guess what, I have another guest here you’ll want to meet.”

With that Salome took Jesus by the hand and led him though the courtyard into her kitchen. An angular and rather severe looking man stood up to greet him. But both men stopped short and looked intently at each other.

Jesus spoke first. Although the man was a stranger, he instantly knew who it was. “You are John.”

“And you are my cousin Jesus, God sent me to find you” John replied.

They shook hands, then hugged, and stood back to look at each other.

“I knew this day would come,” John said. Before my parents passed away they told me about Mary’s visit with them in Judea. They believed you are special in the eyes of the Lord.”

Puzzled by John’s words, Jesus was uncertain how to respond. Then John took Jesus by the hand again. He used both of his hands, one on top and one below the outstretched palm. This time the passage of energy that flowed between them was unmistakable. John motioned for Jesus to the table.

“Let us talk, we have much to discuss.”

Salome watched the two men greet each other with astonishment. It was as though both men had been expecting this day to happen. She scrambled to regain her composure.

“You two must be famished. Sit down and I will bring you something to eat. I have the best fresh bread in Bethsaida, cheese, dried fruits and nuts. I can cook up some lamb if you like. And there is wine from my own press. Help yourself to a cup.”

Both men thanked Salome for her generosity. Then John turned to Jesus. “Do you still live in Nazareth?”

“No–I haven’t lived there for some time. I have a carpenter’s shop in Capernaum.”

“Capernaum? I am not familiar with the name.”

“It’s a half days walk from here, - when I’m not pulling a cart. If Salome will put me up, I plan to go home tomorrow morning.”

“Good!” John was very decisive. “We will go to Capernaum and you can show me what you are doing.”

Jesus was humbled. “It’s not very impressive...”

He paused a moment, scanning the boney features of John’s face, and then asked “And what have you been doing?”

 “I’ve been preaching in the countryside. Small groups of people.... here and there. There is much to be done in Judea. ”

“Have you preached in the synagogues or the Temple in Jerusalem?”

“No,” John laughed balefully “they chased me out. The Sadducees don’t think I’m qualified, and the Pharisees don’t like my message. However, while the Essenes have a strict ritual and severe rules of conduct, they have been most kind to me.”

“What is going on in Jerusalem?”

“Corruption, everywhere. The priests have turned Herod’s Temple into a market to sell sacrificial animals and birds. They change money for the poor and take a cut for themselves with every transaction.”

Jesus frowned. “Something must be done. But where did you preach last?”

“Hippos. Unfortunately for me, it is a pagan Greek and Roman city. The Jews there thought I was a lunatic. They chased me out of the city and down the road to the lake.”

Jesus could not help chuckling at the thought of John running down the hill from Hippos to escape the mob.

“Do you think you would like to become an Essene?” Jesus asked.

“Probably not, I prefer to live by my own beliefs. But I agree with some of their theology. When I visited with them in Qumran, they gave me a letter of introduction I can show to any Essene group. The Essenes will provide the traveler with food and a place to sleep.”

Salome interrupted their conversation with two plates heaped high with vegetables and meat. She sat down at the table to listen to their conversation.

Jesus blessed their food with a simple prayer. Both men began to eat. A moment later, he looked up and asked John a question. “Have you ever married?”

“No. I’m too restless, and I am certainly not a farmer. I have adopted the Essene philosophy of Celibacy...” John paused to take a sip of wine. “Have you ever married?”

“I was fortunate enough to be loved by a gracious woman–Sarah. Unfortunately, she has been called to be with God. I miss her.... although I am sure she is by my side.”

Any children?”

“No.... although we wanted to have a family.... it was not to be.”

“Do you think you will ever remarry?”

“No.”

“Then why not adopt the Essene rules of Celibacy?”

“I need to think a great deal about my own beliefs before I make any commitment.”

“The Essenes believe a vow of Celibacy brings a man closer to God. Marriage gets in the way of commitment and study. We must focus all our energy on our relationship with God.”

Jesus felt a sudden wave of inspiration sweep over him. The feeling was both intense and sweet. He suddenly had many answers to the questions and doubts that had plagued him these last few months. He spoke with a conviction that surprised him.

“I want to focus on my connection with God,” Jesus said solemnly “My mother and father told me God has a task for me..... a mission. My conscious thoughts and my dreams are pushing me toward a different relationship with God.  It would appear to be a partnership that will affect people of many nations. But preaching is not enough. Sarah and her father taught me the value of healing. I must include healing with my teaching.”

“Then what you want to do is way beyond what I have been doing,” John said “it’s one thing to preach to a Jewish audience, but if you want to expand your task to include people of other nations, then the first thing you have to do is understand them, otherwise you will appear the fool.”

John leaned back in his chair and stared at the roof of the house. “You need to do a lot of preparation before you begin your ministry. Where will you go to learn your healing skills? And how will you increase your knowledge of culture, theology and philosophy?”

“I haven’t figured that out.” Jesus replied. “I am astonished by the sudden intensity of my feelings. Talking with you has convinced me this is something I must do.”

John quietly smiled. Well Lord, I am doing what you asked me to do...

***

The next morning the two men said a fond farewell to Salome. She drew Jesus aside to say goodbye. “I think you are destined for greatness,” she said “you project an inspirational energy. God bless your efforts. Come here whenever you can. I’d like to follow your progress.” Then she drew a small purse from her dress and gave it to Jesus. “Take this; you will need money for your trip, no matter where it takes you.”

Jesus reluctantly took the purse. But he knew she was right. He would need money to achieve the goals he had set out for himself last night. “Thank you for your encouragement, Salome, I feel like I am about to embark on a great experience.”

***

John and Jesus crossed the Jordan and walked along the plain next to the Sea of Galilee. As they started to climb through the hills overlooking Capernaum, John stopped by a log.

“Let’s rest for a moment. I have an idea.”

They sat down on the log and looked out over the deep blue water. John asked a question.

“Where do they teach healing?”

“Jamel, Sarah’s father, told me the best place to learn healing is Alexandria. They used to have one of the best libraries in the world.”

“Egypt? John was curious “the Roman province of Aegyptus.?”

“Yes, Egypt. I am also curious about the many temples Jamar has described.”

John looked up and spoke with conviction. “Then that is where we must go.”

“We?”

“Now Jesus, you don’t think I would let you go alone, do you? Who is going to save you from the temptations of the big city?”

Jesus gave John a broad smile. He was very glad John had adopted him as a friend.

“I don’t know who will be watching whom on this journey. Like you, I have decided to adopt the philosophy of celibacy. But I am pleased you want to join me. ‘We’ it is.”

John was enthusiastic. “When will we begin this adventure?”

“As soon as I settle my affairs in Capernaum we can go. But you haven’t told me how we get to Alexandria.”

John thought for a moment. “We can go to Caesarea Maritima. It’s a busy Roman port city. We can try to find work on a boat bound for Alexandria. Failing that, we can walk there by the coast route.”

And so begins a great journey.

Ron

Author’s Note: One of the reasons Jesus was so successful is because he was able to heal disease, injury and other afflictions. Although we often attribute his healing skills to the fact he was the son of God, he could also have acquired knowledge of first century medical skills. This understanding would have been helpful in dealing with those who needed his help. I choose to believe Jesus knew he would be seen as a healer and decided to make the appropriate preparation for his work.  

 

 

Free Will: The Consequences of Our Choices May Not Be What We Expected

 

Choices

In any discussion of Free Will there is a tendency to confuse the availability and exercise of Free Will with the limitations and consequences of Free Will.   Let us clarify the issues.

The availability of Free Will simply refers to whether or not we are allowed to make choices. It is an issue of basic freedom.

The exercise of Free Will is in itself a choice we make. If we choose to do so, then our choices will be subject to certain limitations over which we may have no control. However, within these limitations we have Free Will. That is to say, we can make choices but we cannot dictate the circumstances that will affect the results of our choices. For example:  I can decide to go out into a storm, but I cannot stop it from raining.

After we make our choices, we are subject to the consequences of our decisions. They are the unavoidable consequence of what we decided to do (action) or think (mental conclusion). For example: I may have the freedom to decide to go out into a storm, but as a result I will get wet.

Thus, we may have Free Will, but our choices are made within certain limitations and subject to a natural result. We are not free to change the circumstances that affect the outcome of our choices, nor are we free to avoid the result. I may have the freedom to decide I will go out into the storm, but I cannot make the storm go away (the circumstances) and I will likely get wet (the result of my decision).

What about Christian Theology?

For the purposes of this discussion, let us first examine the subject of Free Will within the framework of our relationship to God. Within this context, the question of Free Will evokes two possibilities.

There is a God.

There is no God.

From a Christian viewpoint, the discussion of Free Will usually centers on our relationship with God; i.e. are we only predestined to a fate determined by God?  Or, does God grant us the freedom to make our own choices? Historical evidence suggests we have Free Will. God apparently encourages us to make rational choices that conform to the values he has taught us. Because they are based on long standing texts, ideas about right and wrong tend to be stable. If we stray from his values, we risk being ostracized by our peers, disliked by the community, punished by the police power of the State, or even by God – perhaps in unexpected ways.

Atheist discussion of Free Will tends to center on an individual’s status or position within a political social structure. From a socialist viewpoint, there is no God. Our perception of Free Will is derived from contemporary secular beliefs. Ideas about right and wrong tend to be unstable, influenced by fluid pop-culture social justice concepts, and often incorporate contentious political ideology. We are forced to exercise our Free Will within these constraints. If we ignore contemporary secular values we risk being ostracized by our peers, public media, public contempt, mob hatred, and the police power of the State.

Limitations and Exercise of Free Will

Our moral and physical behavior is unavoidably influenced by the limitations of the real world in which we live, no matter how “free” we think we are to act and think. Our deeds may also lead to self-destruction. Remember this verse ...

“We cannot break the natural laws of the Cosmos without exposing ourselves to physical or emotional injury. If we defile our being with drugs or alcohol, if we debilitate ourselves with too much stress, or if we ignore the wisdom of experience, we are doomed to suffer the consequences. In so doing, we create our own self-inflicted Hell.”

-        Summa 21

Our freedom to make personal choices is influenced, and modified, by our Cultural Ecosystem. The term “Cultural Ecosystem” refers to the cultural, economic and physical environment within which individuals and social groups function, and includes our emotional and intellectual interaction with other people. We may choose, for example, to have expensive tastes, but our ability to consume will be limited by our income. We can break the law, but we know the police power of the State will seek retribution. Free love sounds wonderful until it leads to a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and so on.

Thus while we have Free Will, which is the freedom to make our own decisions, our choices are limited by cultural, economic and physical reality.

Consequences

There is a certain truth to the “obey or be punished” concept. As pointed out in Summa 21, we cannot break the natural laws of the Cosmos, disregard God’s commandments, or ignore contemporary secular beliefs, without exposing ourselves to physical and emotional injury. The concept of Free Will not only means a personal choice, it also requires we accept the consequences of our choices. It is therefore our responsibility, each and every one, to make intelligent choices which elevate our moral character, mental health, emotional stability, intellectual development, and physical health;  ... else we risk the creation of our own self-inflicted Hell.

Christianity and Free Will

For Christians, the availability, limitations and exercise of Free Will are an integral component of Christian Theology and philosophy. We believe God gave us Free Will, the right to make our own choices. The Bible contains example after example of how we humans exercised our freedom to make choices and the consequences of those choices. We make good choices and we make terrible choices. But time after time, the text of the Bible shows we had the freedom to make them.

This fundamental belief in the freedom of Free Will influenced the development of the American Declaration of Independence and subsequent Constitution. The freedom to make choices has been a fundamental driver of national political rights all over the world. We humans usually prosper best when all members of our culture have the right to exercise Free Will.

The Christian concept of Free Will is one of the reasons Christian Theology is incompatible with the repression of socialism, communism, and other forms of dictatorship. Oppressive political systems add political, social and legal restrictions on the exercise of Free Will: freedom versus repression.

Conclusion

We humans have and are able to exercise free will but the choices we make are framed by physical and moral limitations.

If we do not believe in God, then we are likely to be influenced by transient moral beliefs. These may lead us to make negative, destructive and immoral choices.

If we do believe in God, the convictions of a 21st century Christian theology and philosophy encourage us to make positive, constructive and ethical choices.

The consequences of our choices may not be what we expected or even something we want; and yet – they are our responsibility.

Ron

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