I enjoy being able to sit back and listen/read for a moment.
This thread is good for my spirit and soul.
Did you ever notice that John the Baptist actually preached a lot but you really only hear most of it in johns account stuff like this that John was preaching as he was baptizing folks
“After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
John 3:22-28, 30-36 KJV
i feel as if John offers many unique insights and perspectives into things the other gospels bring up but never really work through for instance In The others John the Baptist is sort of just a side note he’s mentioned even that he was preaching a message but we never actually hear much of what he was saying while he baptized
Notice how johns gospel fills in a particular time period when Jesus was baptized but before John was imprisoned
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; and preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
Mark 1:4-11, 14-15
It’s just beautiful how the gospels fill one another up and add to one beautiful consistent perfect image and message of our Lord Jesus John seems to offer more mature perspective “spiritual” if you would say I suspect it was written or at least completed near the end of his life as an apostle recalling Jesus and the gospel through the spirit like he said they would in chapter 14
There’s so much in John that finishes what the others are saying and fills in the gaps of time periods like before johns imprisonment there in that example . Also in the gospels Jesus
teaches of John the Baptist
“For all the
prophets and the law
prophesied until John.
And
if ye will receive it, this is Elijah , which was for to come.”( the last two verses of the
Old Testament prophets )
Matthew 11:13-14 KJV
“And they asked him, saying,
Why say the scribes that Elijah must first come? And he answered and told them,
Elijah verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.
But I say unto you, That Elijah has indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.”
Mark 9:11-13 KJV
“And Jesus answered and said unto them,
Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.”
Matthew 17:11-13 KJV
And then there are even figures in the ot of John and Elijah
“And they answered him,
He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said,
It is Elijah the Tishbite.”
2 Kings 1:8 KJV
“And
John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;”
Mark 1:6
“And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Which shall prepare thy way before thee.”
Matthew 11:7-10
It’s beautiful how the four witnesses of the gospel work together to hold forth a complete and thorough testimony , when a person make or female begins to look into the gospel it’s easy to understand why that’s the doctrine God sent to all people for everlasting salvation how it just reveals things we could not otherwise have known . Only Jesus makes the connection between the fulfillment of the prophecy of Elijah that concludes the prophets , and John the Baptist or even the connection between Malachi. 3 and John the Baptist like he does also in mark we could never consider that if we didn’t hear the gospel
I like how they work together so there’s really no mistaking what’s being said and taught sorry to rant here too much free time