80
The Desire of Ages
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.
Yet he shrank from granting the request of Jesus. How could he, a
sinner, baptize the Sinless One? And why should He who needed no
repentance submit to a rite that was a confession of guilt to be washed
away?
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As Jesus asked for baptism, John drew back, exclaiming, “I have
need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?” With firm yet
gentle authority, Jesus answered, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus
it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” And John, yielding, led
the Saviour down into the Jordan, and buried Him beneath the water.
“And straightway coming up out of the water,” Jesus “saw the heavens
opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him.”
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. He was
now, upon a wider stage, entering on the conflict of His life. Though
He was the Prince of Peace, His coming must be as the unsheathing of a
sword. The kingdom He had come to establish was the opposite of that
which the Jews desired. He who was the foundation of the ritual and
economy of Israel would be looked upon as its enemy and destroyer.
He who had proclaimed the law upon Sinai would be condemned as
a transgressor. He who had come to break the power of Satan would
be denounced as Beelzebub. No one upon earth had understood Him,
and during His ministry He must still walk alone. Throughout His life
His mother and His brothers did not comprehend His mission. Even
His disciples did not understand Him. He had dwelt in eternal light, as
one with God, but His life on earth must be spent in solitude.
As one with us, He must bear the burden of our guilt and woe. The
Sinless One must feel the shame of sin. The peace lover must dwell
with strife, the truth must abide with falsehood, purity with vileness.