Andrew: The Man Who Caused John the Baptizer to Stop Mid Sentence

By Mary Vee
John 1

From Andrew's Notes

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert near the Jordan River

My name is Andrew. I have been following John the Baptizer for some time. His words draw me closer to The Living God. It's hard to explain, but I feel the validity of John the Baptizer's words in my soul.

I have been a fisherman working in the north, on the Sea of Galilee. One day I took a break and walked down the Jordan to the wilderness. I saw a crowd gathered around a man and was curious what he was saying. I walked closer and listened. He spoke truths about the living God that hooked me immediately.

I suppose I'd heard these words about the God who chose our people at different times in my past, but they'd never impacted me like they did that day. His message helped me understand God's truth and expectations. That the Almighty God demanded we follow Him, obey His words, keep His words ever present in our heads and tell our children.

John quoted words from the Scriptures that I hadn't heard in a long time. I wanted to hear more, so I came back to listen again and again.

One day, a man came to the shores of the Jordan River where we sat listening to John. He stood among the crowd, listening. Watching. John looked at Him several times. It seemed John was distracted by Him. At first, John stammered then he stopped speaking. He looked at the man.

There was a connection I didn't understand. 

The Man did not say anything, but I sensed something different was going on. What it was? Who was this Man who captured John's attention. John held his gaze on the man as if He knew him, but didn't know who he was. He seemed confused but in awe of this man. I watched the two of them interact without words, intrigued by what was happening. 

The Jordan River, Photo by Mary Vee"

The Man stepped close to the water. John took a deep breath as though the very presence of this Man was so powerful, so great, like a child standing before a great king. 

The Man asked John to baptize Him. John shook his head and said, "I cannot. I am the one who should be baptized by you."

The words surprised me. John hadn't said anything like that in all the days I'd listened to him. Who was this Man who had such an impact on John?

The Man said, "This is the right thing to do. Trust Me. I must be baptized at this time to fulfill all the righteousness."

John nodded as if he understood something much bigger than I could understand. I was so intrigued. I had to learn more. I came back every day, wanting to learn more about what John had to say and about the man who was baptized that day.

Over a month went by since that day. The Man hadn't stopped by. I had no idea what he was doing and had hoped John would tell us more. There was a rumor that the Man went to the wilderness on His own.

THEN, and this is the incredibly exciting part I wanted to tell you, the Man walked near where John spoke. How did I know he did? Because John stopped mid sentence and pointed at him. "Look," he shouted, "The Lamb of God!"

As soon as I heard those words I ran to the Man. I wasn't alone. Another man ran too. We caught up to the stranger. He had to be a rabbi. Why else would John have directed us to him? 

The Man turned around and looked at us. He said, "What do you want?"

I didn't know what to say. I didn't have an answer to the question so I said, "Um, where are you staying?" At least I could find out where to find him again tomorrow.

He said, "Come, and you will see." Such a tender voice. One of a man who wanted to not only teach, but show us what He had to say. In that one day, I understood this Man had something to show me. Something I desperately had to learn more about. Something so big, I couldn't live without knowing it.

I have more to tell you next time.


Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.