Jesus began calling his first disciples out of the saltshaker and into the world. And guess where the saltshakers had found refuge? In the synagogues! Yes, hiding in plain sight. What you may not realize is that John the Baptist was actually the first preacher of the gospel. John’s message was one of repentance. The Holy Spirit had already informed him that the kingdom of heaven has come near. John preached that the Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ had already been warned by the prophet Isaiah.
This situation came about after Jesus had been reluctantly baptized in the Jordan River by His cousin, John the Baptist. After this took place, two additional events happened. First, God opened heaven and Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. Then, a voice from heaven was heard: “This is my Son, Whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Those two events were confirmation and proof positive that Jesus Christ was the Messiah…just as John the Baptist had proclaimed.
Nevertheless, Peter’s denial of ever knowing Jesus and his braggadocio expressions of false endearment toward Christ was a let down. Also, Peter did not stay awake while Jesus prayed to his Father. Seemingly, towards the end of Jesus’s life on earth, Peter tried to avoid being publicly identified as a Christian. (That situation can be associated with many followers today.)
Perhaps the Lord knew from the get-go, that his life’s road would be hard to climb. Thus, he allowed the Holy Spirit to lead him into the wilderness, and there he went on a forty day and night fast. Jesus was also tempted by the Devil during this time.
Jesus overcame the wilds of the Devil and was successful in causing Ole Slew-foot to flee. Next, angels came and attended to Jesus. However, the Pharisees’ disdain for Jesus was never appeased. Jesus’ teaching on: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you,” never took hold in the Pharisees’ heart.
Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!
Conversations With God Using Scripture 
Good morning Sister Sonja! Woke up this morning to read your blog and again was blessed by the reading.
Praying you have a beautiful blessed day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sister Cathy, I wanted to say much more, but the Holy Spirit would not let me. He said just give the people bullet points and let them fill in the rest. Now, it is up to you to finish the story to your friends, and loved ones. Praise the Lord for his suffering for all of man kinds blunders! Amen and Amen.
LikeLike
Yes the Pharises were so consumed with discrediting Jesus that they were not able to see what a blessing was right before them. We still have skeptics who refuse to open their hearts and minds and eyes to see who Jesus was and is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Sister Edna, we do have skeptics today, however, we can reach them. How! By reminding them of some of Peter’s weaknesses towards Jesus, a Saint whom he walked side by side with. I was too scared to list all the doubtful thoughts and ways Peter expressed himself towards his ‘bosom buddy’ whom he lived, slept, ate, and bathed with every day. And if Jesus can forgive him, surely Jesus can forgive any skeptic we run into. Amen!
LikeLike