ANDREW THE FIRST DISCIPLE
30 AD – Jordan River Valley
Andrew idolized the man who came out of the wilderness calling the people to repent their sins. They called him the Baptist for he publically dared to go against tradition and baptise people in the Jordan. The religious leader said no one will come. But yet they came and they came in droves.
Like Andrew, they came to see if he is the one, for his appearance, mannerism and boldness were like that of an old legend come to life. So many came that finally the Jewish leadership sent priests to the Jordan to investigate. Watching him submersing one person after another angered one of the head priests.
“Who are you?” the priest demanded.
The Baptist didnot even pause in baptising. When he brought up a woman from under the water and helped her to the shore, he said, “I am not the Messiah.”
“Well then, who are you?” a number of them asked at the same time. But the Baptist was submersing another person paying them no heed.
“Are you Elijah?” asked a priest sarcastically. Some of them were laughing but stopped when they saw him chuckling.
The Baptist still chuckling, stood there knee deep in water, lifted up his arms to display his garment and long hair and beard. Then he nonchalantly replied, “No.”
Another asked, “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”
The Baptist shook his head in the negative, as he submersed an old man.
“Then who are you?” asked a priest who seem to be concerned. “We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
Then Andrew observed the Baptist’s posture change. There was also a gleam shining in his eyes as he faced them. He gestured to his followers to hold back the next person. Then looking to not just priests, he says in a very loud voice, “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the LORD’s coming!’ ”
Andrew was stunned, for he recognized those words. They were the words of the prophet Isaiah.
Other men who accompanied the priests also recognized the words as well. They were Pharisees, not priests, learned men of the leadership. They too asked, “If you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”
The Baptist smiled. Then he bent and cupped some water in his hands and said, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”
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Greeting friends…
I hope you are enjoying the 11th segment of my ebook, FAITHFUL ENCOUNTERS.
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Johann Q.
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