Chapter 7—The Baptism
When the time for Christ’s public ministry had come, His first act
was to go to the river Jordan, and be baptized by John the Baptist.
John had been sent to prepare the way for the Saviour. He had
preached in the wilderness, saying:
“The kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
Mark 1:15
.
Multitudes flocked to hear him. Many were convicted of their sins,
and were baptized by him in the Jordan.
God had made known to John that some day the Messiah would
come to him and ask to be baptized. He had also promised that a sign
should be given him, so that he might know who it was.
When Jesus came, John saw in His face such signs of His holy life,
that he forbade Him, saying: “I have need to be baptized of Thee, and
comest Thou to me?
“And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for
thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.”
Matthew 3:14, 15
.
[42]
And as He said this, there was seen upon His face the same heav-
enly light that Simeon had beheld.
So John led the Saviour down into the waters of the beautiful
Jordan, and there he baptized Him in the sight of all the people.
Jesus was not baptized to show repentance for His own sins; for
He had never sinned. He did it to set an example for us.
When He came up out of the water, He kneeled on the riverbank,
and prayed. Then the heavens were opened, beams of glory streamed
forth, “and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and
lighting upon Him.”
Matthew 3:16
.
His face and form were all aglow with the light of the glory of
God. And from Heaven the voice of God was heard saying:
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew
3:16, 17
.
22