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From Heaven With Love
sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man
who ranks before me... . I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from
heaven, and it remained on Him... . He who sent me to baptize with
water said to me,’ ... ‘This is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
RSV.
Christ’s Appearance Was Undistinguished
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 in the name of
God. They had listened to him day after day as he reproved their
sins, and the conviction that he was sent of Heaven had strengthened.
But who was this One greater than John? In His dress and bearing
nothing betokened rank. Apparently He was a simple person, clad
in the humble garments of the poor.
Some in the throng had been at Christ’s baptism and had heard
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the voice of God. But the Saviour’s appearance had greatly changed.
At His baptism they had seen His countenance transfigured in the
light of heaven; now, worn and emaciated, He had been recognized
only by John.
But the people saw a face where divine compassion was blended
with conscious power. Every glance, every feature of the counte-
nance, was marked with humility, and expressive of unutterable love.
He impressed men with a sense of power that was hidden, yet could
not be wholly concealed. Was this the One for whom Israel had so
long waited?
Jesus came in poverty and humiliation, that He might be our
example as well as our Redeemer. If He had appeared with kingly
pomp, how could He have taught humility? Where would have been
the hope of the lowly in life had Jesus come to dwell as a king among
men?
But to the multitude it seemed impossible that the One designated
by John should be associated with their lofty anticipations. Many
were disappointed and perplexed.
The words so much desired—that Jesus would now restore the
kingdom to Israel—had not been spoken. Such a king the priests