Jesus’ Preparation For Ministry. The four gospels start with the births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. It is amazing that we are told nothing about John the Baptist after his birth. We are told a little more about Jesus such as the visitors at His birth, His trip to Egypt, and then His return to Palestine before remaining in Nazareth. After that we only catch a glimpse of Jesus at age twelve. Then we have at least eighteen years of silence before John the Baptist appears. The chart above outlines the events and people that God used to prepare Israel for their Messiah. The main focus of the next twelve studies is the preparation of Jesus for ministry. John the Baptist was the forerunner pointing the people to Jesus - the Messiah. This is the fulfillment of prophecy and of the hopes and dreams of the prophets. This is the real dynamic-duo. This is the first study in Jesus’ preparation for ministry.