Marsh Reeds

Moses was placed in a woven reed basket, pitched 

and placed in the river Nile. 

Exo 2:10  And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. 

And she called his name Moses: and she said, 

Because I drew him out of the water. 

Rom 5:14  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 

Rom 5:15  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 

Where there is water the reeds grow. They become the habitat for birds and animals. 

Job spoke of an animal among the reeds called Behemoth. 

It must have been very large, perhaps a dinosaur. 

The purpose of Job was to show the power of God.

Job 40:21  He lieth under the shady trees, 

in the covert of the reed, and fens. 

Job 40:22  The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. 

Job 40:23  Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up

 Jordan into his mouth. 

Job 40:24  He taketh it with his eyes:

his nose pierceth through snares. 

These reeds are bent like shepherds crooks. 

Sometimes people will turn to idols and false shepherds
because of careless ease.

Israel did this long ago and made God angry. 

1Kings 14:15  For the LORD shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, 

and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers,

 and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves,  provoking the LORD to anger. 

The LORD loves his people and sent John the Baptist

 to make the way for the Messiah to forgive their sins. 

Many went into the Jordan wilderness to be baptized by him.

Mat 11:8  But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 

Mat 11:9  But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 

Mat 11:10  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 

The reeds mature to make rods with seeds called cattails. 
These are older cattails glowing from the back light. Jesus was struck with reeds and given a cattail as a scepter, being mocked as a humiliated king. They were foolish, for
all people will bow before Jesus as the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Mat 27:29  And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 
Mat 27:30  And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. 
Mat 27:31  And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. 

A turn of the head and this reed picture looks like a "Z". I remember the movie the mark of Zorro, 
where a sword was used to carve a Z.  Jesus came to us as a gentle Shepherd and he is the Living Word; the word of God is sharper than a two edged sword.

Mat 12:19  He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 
Mat 12:20  A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 
Mat 12:21  And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. 

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

Heb 4:13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 

Baptism

Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Water Baptism was given by John the Baptist.

Mar 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Water baptism is still commanded, but with the profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Water baptism is the sign of the new covenant.

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Jesus received the Holy Spirit following water baptism

Mat 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Mat 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Mat 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

The Holy Spirit came to his disciples at Pentecost

Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The baptism of Jesus is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or the Holy Ghost. The Spirit brings gifts and he is the power to witness. It is important first to be received of Jesus by faith in him. This followed by water baptism as a public profession of faith. The in filling of the Holy Spirit can come at any time after receiving Jesus. We cannot follow Jesus in the flesh only, we need his spirit to help us to live our new spiritual life.