Quibbles about the real Messiah

October 16th, 2023

Of course, we don’t know the whole and true story about their relationship. There are books and suggestions that it was actually John the Baptist who was the main guy, the chosen one, the feared one (by the authorities). Jesus, as his cousin, worked with John in the beginning, but then usurped his place and was instrumental in John being sent to prison and then executed — and Jesus’ followers were very keen to hide the truth but were unable to completely erase John the Baptist from the memory of early Christianity, so he was kept in the New Testament as an important figure but nowhere near his real influence and significance.

They both reflect each other perfectly. They both had miraculous births. John was born to an old woman who was infertile. Jesus was born to a young woman who was unfertilized. John was born at the summer solstice. Jesus was born six months later at the winter solstice. John baptized with water, while Jesus baptized with fire and spirit. The birthday of Jesus is celebrated on the date of the Pagan festival of the returning sun. The birthday of John is celebrated on the date of the Pagan festival of midsummer. They complement each other in every way.

And there is a curious passage in Luke 7:22: “Are you the one to come after me or shall we wait for another?”. Two followers of John the Baptist asked Jesus this question as John languished in prison. That was already after the baptism in the Jordan River and the announcement by the Holy Spirit that Jesus was the Messiah. Apparently, John the Baptist had his doubts, and the fact that this story remains in the New Testament means that doubt was important to mention. And the first followers of Jesus were recruited from among the followers of John. There is a definite pang of jealousy and power struggles there. Of course, only the winning side writes history (or theology) but questions remain.