5 Smooth Stones

Luke 1:44 “For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a ful fi llment of those things which were told her from the Lord." Ma tt hew 11:7 “As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is wri tt en: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,Who will prepare Your way before You.' 11 "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” He was greater than any other man up to that time because of the Spirit which he had from his mother’s womb. It was clear from Gabriel’s prophecy to Zachariah that John was going to be the prophet foretold in Malachi. Of course, this in fl uenced his up-bringing and training. Yet there is no indication that he was commissioned into this calling until he was of age which was thirty years old in the Jewish culture, six months before Jesus also came of age. Jesus himself went through stages in his ministry. Of course, he was called to redeem mankind long before His birth. His coming was prophesied, there was a spiritual ba tt le surrounding his birth and childhood, he was tempted in all ways, and grew through the stages. If Jesus did receive a commissioning, it would most likely be that given to him by his Heavenly Father at His baptism. Luke 3:21 “When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased." 23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age..” So even though God certainly had called Jesus from before his mother conceived Him, he was not commissioned, and in His case, had not even received the Holy Spirit until he was baptized. Ephesians 1:11 “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will..” Jesus, John, and Jeremiah were all predestined to accomplish what they were called to accomplish and all were preordained by God into their 201