Tales of the Talmidim
Two New Talmidim


The Spring of David, in Ein Gedi, Israel


Before they knew the Master, Yochanan and Andrei went to hear the Yochanon Hamitvel, John the Baptist, preach. They were surprised when they saw him. He was a wild looking man. His hair was long and loose and twisted by the wind. His beard was broad and bushy. He looked like a prophet from days of long ago.

"The Kingdom of God is already here!" Yochanon Hamitvel said. "That is why you must get ready! Quit sinning and start doing good," he told the people.

People confessed their sins and went into the water to baptize themselves. Yochanon and Andrei heard the baptist preaching. They remembered their own sins and their hearts felt sad and heavy. "Perhaps I will not belong in the Kingdom because I have many sins," Yochanon told the baptist.

"It is never too late," the baptist told him. "Quit sinning now and start doing good. Come baptize yourself in the water. Wash away your sins. Get ready for the Kingdom."

The baptist led him down to the edge of the Jordan River and into water. Yochanon stepped ankle-deep into the water. The mud squished between his toes. He waded further out into the water until he was knee-deep. He went deeper into the river until the water was up to the waist. He pushed on further until the water had risen all around him and was deep enough to swim in. He turned around. The baptist was watching.

Then he bent his knees and ducked his head under the water. Splash, sploosh, splash! Three times he put his head under the water and then he climbed back to the bank of the river. The baptist reached out and took his hand to lead him back to the shore.

Yochanon did not know why, but his eyes were filled with hot tears as he stepped up onto the shore. His heart felt light and happy. He felt clean and new.

"I am a fisherman, and so is Andrei, but we want to be your talmidim." He told the baptist.

Why was John's heart sad?

Why did John baptize himself in the water?

Kehilat Sar Shalom

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