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Jesus Assured of His Sonship, March 5
Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was
baptized; and while he prayed, the heaven was opened.
Luke 3:21
, NKJV.
When Jesus came to be baptized, John recognized in Him a purity of character
that he had never before perceived in any man. The very atmosphere of His presence
was holy and awe-inspiring. Among the multitudes that had gathered about him at
the Jordan, John had heard dark tales of crime, and had met souls bowed down with
the burden of myriad sins; but never had he come in contact with a human being
from whom there breathed an influence so divine. All this was in harmony with
what had been revealed to John regarding the Messiah....
Jesus did not receive baptism as a confession of guilt on His own account. He
identified Himself with sinners, taking the steps that we are to take, and doing the
work that we must do. His life of suffering and patient endurance after His baptism
was also an example to us.
Upon coming up out of the water, Jesus bowed in prayer on the river bank. A
new and important era was opening before Him (
The Desire of Ages, 110, 111
).
Never had angels listened to such a prayer. They were solicitous to bear to the
praying Redeemer messages of assurance and love. But no; the Father Himself will
minister to His Son. Direct from the throne proceeded the light of the glory of God.
The heavens were opened, and beams of light and glory proceeded therefrom and
assumed the form of a dove, in appearance like burnished gold. The dovelike form
was emblematical of the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
The people stood spellbound with fear and amazement. Their eyes were fastened
upon Christ, whose bowed form was bathed in the beautiful light and glory that
ever surround the throne of God. His upturned face was glorified as they had never
before seen the face of man. The thunders rolled and the lightnings flashed from the
opening heavens, and a voice came therefrom in terrible majesty, saying, “This is
my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”.... Jehovah’s voice assured Christ of
His Sonship with the Eternal (
Youth’s Instructor, March 1, 1874
).
The glory that rested upon Christ is a pledge of the love of God for us. It tells us
of the power of prayer—how the human voice may reach the ear of God, and our
petitions find acceptance in the courts of heaven.... The light which fell from the
open portals upon the head of our Saviour will fall upon us as we pray for help to
resist temptation. The voice which spoke to Jesus says to every believing soul, This
is My beloved child, in whom I am well pleased (
The Desire of Ages, 113
).
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