At the age of 30, a prophet arose by the name of John. He was known as the baptizer. When asked who he was, he told the religious elite, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias” (John 1:23). The forerunner had arrived. He was announcing the coming of the King. He declared, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist to fulfill all righteousness, the Holy Spirit descended from heaven upon Him, and the Father spoke, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matt 3:17). For three years, Jesus was active in his public ministry. Prior to John’s death, he inquired of Jesus through his disciples. Jesus responded, “The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them” (Matthew 11:5). Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life. Many were flocking to him to see miracles, to be fed with bread, and out of curiosity. However, there was a growing concern among the religious elite of Jerusalem that were preparing to kill Him, because of His person, works, and the claims to be the Son of God.
This did not stop Jesus. He knew what he came into the world to do. He was going to conquer death, cleanse (regenerate) the hearts of men, build a church, and empower her to advance His kingdom. Therefore, Jesus had set his face towards Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). He was on His way to the city of the great King (Ps. 48:2, Matt 5:35). |
