I am certain that Galilee around 30AD had its share of unique individuals. Maybe the neighbor that enjoyed wine too much and found themselves in the doghouse (if it existed) when he got home. Maybe the grouchy old neighbor that hated any children playing in her stretch of the yard. Or speaking of doghouses, the mutt that was off the chain once too often enjoying the neighbor's garden. Maybe Mutt enjoyed the fallen pomegranates as well as you. 

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Yet when Jesus’ cousin, John came on the scene thirty years later, he was unique enough for  Israelites to travel from days away to see him.  Need a vacation? “Let’s go see this crazy man everyone is talking about.” 

From his inception, John lived an interesting lifestyle. Born to the elderly couple, Zachariah and Elizabeth, he was the light of their lives. Since both Zachariah and Elizabeth were of the linage of Aaron, it was expected for John to be raised and trained to follow in his father’s footsteps, becoming a priest. 

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Some scholars believe John was raised by the Essenes community after the death of his parents. According to the first century historian Josephus, the Essenes community took in young children and raised them as Essenes. Since John was born to aged parents, his upbringing by the Essenes community is plausible. (source: Otto Betz, Biblical Archaeology Society). The Essenes lived in their own separate community away from the perversion of Jewish authorities, as they prepared for the appearance of the Messiah. 

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Regardless, people came to see John because of his odd habits: eating locust with wild honey, perfectly content living in the wilderness, and not concerned about his unusual appearance. The trouble was that they came to see John but instead met God. A heartfelt repentance and an abiding desire to fall in love with God again was John’s only desire. 

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His message was for all: 

•  for tax collectors and soldiers to treat other fairly and honestly;  

• for the nation’s spiritual leaders to exemplify and live by God’s standards, not the traditions of men;  

• and for the everyday citizen to revere the holiness of God. 

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As the opening act, John recognized his calling, “The Messiah is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” (John 1:27). This was the moment Hebrews had longed for-- the revelation of Messiah to the nation. In Judaic thought, thirty was the age of full maturity—physically, mentally, and spiritually. It was the age when men were considered ready for high responsibility and to accept their ministry role. John the Baptist had prepared all his life to turn thirty and prepare the world for his cousin, Jesus, the Messiah. 

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After a few months of John’s preparation, Jesus voluntarily came to be baptized. At the baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus and God spoke down, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17). Now Jesus was ready to fulfill His role as our Savior. 

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God had given Jesus thirty years to live among His people. Thirty years to feel our weaknesses and understand our sorrows. He laughed at jokes and cried at the death of His earthly father. From the beginning that was God’s plan. He understood man. 

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Now though, was the moment. Would the nation be the light to the world God had called them to be? 

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Yet with God's proclamation, “this is my beloved Son,” the forces of darkness rose up in horror. This world had served Satan well. Now Satan’s only thought was “How do I destroy this Messiah before He has a chance to destroy me?” This started a three-year battle between the forces of good and evil within the hearts and minds of Jewish adherents.