John washed his listeners in the river, saying it was preparation for the Empire of the Sky. Jesus came to John and was washed as well. As he came xx up out of the water, a strange thing happened. Many of the crowd just heard thunder but Jesus and some others saw the sky open and the Moving Stillness come down like a dove and land on him. A voice from the sky boomed, “This is my son, whom I love. I am very pleased with him.” This moment had more significance than meets the eye. In those times, a father would give his child a series of tasks to complete. When they had been completed to his father’s satisfaction, his father would organise a “Ceremony of Adoption”. At this ceremony the father would call his son out and present him to the gathered witnesses. He would announce, “This is my son.” With these words the father would legally “adopt” his son. From this time on, the son had all the authority and power of his father. If the son made a promise, the father would honour it. If the son accumulated a fortune or a debt, the father rose and fell with him. Fathers would only “adopt” their sons when they trusted them completely. It was no small thing to be adopted. Jesus had met his true father and been adopted. He was Son of the Most High Elohim. Immediately, Jesus went out to the wilderness. He took no food and very few supplies. He found a site and camped. * * * Days passed. Jesus stayed put. During the daytime he burned. At night, he shivered. He ate no food. Days turned to weeks. Jesus’ body began to waste away. His skin burned. His lips
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