John 1:29-34: The Significance of
the Savior’s Baptism
It
happened in Bethany the very next day. John was preaching repentance
Declaring
how sin’s prohibitive stain denied a heavenly entrance.
Scores
and hundreds standing there were moved by his conviction,
Next to the Jordan with tear-filled eyes acknowledging sin’s affliction.
Suddenly
Jesus came into view, walked directly on to the scene.
Instantly
John beheld His Lord, the One who could make man clean.
“This is the One I preached about,
the One far greater than me,
Behold the Savior of Israel.
Believe me, this is He!”
Deep
within a vision was given, an assurance received without doubt.
John saw
the Spirit descend from heaven; the vision fully fleshed out.
The
Spirit rested upon the Lord and then he heard God’s voice:
“He upon whom the Spirit rests, He
is my Son, my choice.”
John knew then without a doubt He was Lord and Creator of all.
Lifting
His voice he identified Christ with a loud and clarion call.
“Behold, dear friends, here is
your Savior, the Lamb that God has sent;
He is the spotless Son of God who
hears you when you repent.”
Jesus
requested to be baptized, but John didn’t want to do it;
Jesus was
perfect in every way; no need for Him to go through it.
But Jesus
divine, yet fully man, with mankind identified;
He came
to become the Lamb of God that man may be sanctified.
And so
John went into the water with Jesus at His side.
Under the
water Jesus went denoting the death He would die.
Up out of
the water to signify life He would give to the man
Who would
place his trust in Christ as God’s salvation plan.
In that
moment the heavens were opened with the dove in sight
Descending
down over the water and on His shoulder alight.
Then that
powerful voice was heard, “With Him, my
Son, I am pleased!”
Thus began
the work of salvation the Triune God conceived.
Here we
see the salvation plan of the Father, Son, and Spirit.
O that we
would study His Word; learn to love and revere it!
Man so
helpless, steeped in sin, so broken, fractured, and lost
Can be
forgiven, Christ within, at heaven’s infinite cost.
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