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The Desire of Ages
discerned. When he beheld Jesus among the throng on His return from
the desert, he confidently looked for Him to give the people some sign
of His true character. Almost impatiently he waited to hear the Saviour
declare His mission; but no word was spoken, no sign given. Jesus did
not respond to the Baptist’s announcement of Him, but mingled with
the disciples of John, giving no outward evidence of His special work,
and taking no measures to bring Himself to notice.
The next day John sees Jesus coming. With the light of the glory of
God resting upon him, the prophet stretches out his hands, declaring,
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! This
is He of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is become before
me.... And I knew Him not; but that He should be made manifest to
Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water.... I have beheld the
Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon Him.
And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize in water, He said
unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and
abiding upon Him, the same is He that baptizeth with the Holy Spirit.
And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
John 1:29-34
, R. V., margin.
Was this the Christ? With awe and wonder the people looked upon
the One just declared to be the Son of God. They had been deeply
moved by the words of John. He had spoken to them in the name of
God. They had listened to him day after day as he reproved their sins,
and daily the conviction that he was sent of Heaven had strengthened.
But who was this One greater than John the Baptist? In His dress and
bearing there was nothing that betokened rank. He was apparently a
simple personage, clad like themselves in the humble garments of the
poor.
There were in the throng some who at Christ’s baptism had beheld
the divine glory, and had heard the voice of God. But since that time
the Saviour’s appearance had greatly changed. At His baptism they had
seen His countenance transfigured in the light of heaven; now, pale,
worn, and emaciated, He had been recognized only by the prophet
John.
But as the people looked upon Him, they saw a face where divine
compassion was blended with conscious power. Every glance of the
eye, every feature of the countenance, was marked with humility, and
expressive of unutterable love. He seemed to be surrounded by an
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