Mission of Christ
41
With firm and gentle authority Jesus waives the refusal of John and
his plea of unworthiness, saying, “Suffer it to be so now; for thus it
becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Christ came not confessing his own sins; but guilt was imed to
him as the sinner’s substitute. He came not to repent on his own
account; but in behalf of the sinner. As man had transgressed the law
of God, Christ was to fulfill every requirement of that law, and thus
show perfect obedience. “Lo, I come to do thy will, O God!” Christ
honored the ordinance of baptism by submitting to this rite. In this
act he identified himself with his people as their representative and
head. As their substitute, he takes upon him their sins, numbering
himself with the transgressors, taking the steps the sinner is required
to take, and doing the work the sinner must do. His life of suffering
and patient endurance after his baptism were an example to converted
sinners of what they should endure and patiently suffer in consequence
of their transgressions and sins. John finally yielded to the request of
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Christ, notwithstanding his feelings of unworthiness to baptize him,
and performed the service. He led the Saviour of the world down into
the river Jordan in the presence of a large concourse of people, and
buried him in the water.
After Christ rose up from the water and from the hand of John,
he walked out to the bank of Jordan, and bowed in the attitude of
prayer. The eyes of John were fastened upon Christ with the deepest
interest and amazement. His heart was stirred with emotion as he
looked upon him thus bowed as a suppliant. Christ’s hands were raised
upward, and his gaze seemed to penetrate Heaven. As the believer’s
example, his sinless humanity supplicated support and strength from
his Heavenly Father, as he was about to commence his public labors
as the Messiah. Jesus poured out his soul in earnest prayer. A new and
important era was opening before him. His former peaceful, quiet life
is to here end. He had been happy in a life of industry and toil, while
fulfilling the duties devolving on a son. He was an example to those in
childhood, youth, and manhood. His deportment showed that he felt
the importance and solemnity of the hour. He knew that trials, toils,
conflicts, sufferings, and death, were in the path his feet had entered.
He felt the weight of the responsibilities he must bear. He was about
to engage in new and arduous duties. A sense of the sinfulness of
men, and the hardness of their hearts, which separated them from God,