The Desire of Ages Chapter 11: The Baptism

Summary

The script from 'The Desire of Ages' details the story of Jesus' baptism by his cousin John the Baptist. Despite their shared lineage and circumstances of birth, they had no prior acquaintance. Jesus, living a sinless life in Nazareth, and John, in the wilderness, were both secluded. John recognized Jesus' purity and divine presence, leading to his baptism, which signified Jesus' identification with sinners. The heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and a voice from above confirmed Jesus as the beloved Son of God, marking the beginning of His mission to redeem humanity from sin.

Takeaways

• 📣 The message of the wilderness prophet spread widely in Galilee, reaching peasants and fishermen, and finding a genuine response in their simple and earnest hearts.
• 👣 Jesus, recognizing the call, left His daily work in Nazareth to join the people going to the Jordan for baptism, marking the beginning of His public ministry.
• 🔗 Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins with parallel yet separate lives, living in seclusion and without direct contact to avoid accusations of conspiracy.
• 🌟 John the Baptist was aware of Jesus' sinless life and believed Him to be the Messiah, but he lacked absolute certainty, waiting in faith for divine confirmation.
• 🛑 John hesitated to baptize Jesus, questioning how a sinner could baptize the sinless and why the guiltless needed a rite of repentance.
• 🙏 Jesus insisted on being baptized to 'fulfill all righteousness,' demonstrating His identification with sinners and setting an example for humanity.
• 🕊 During the baptism, Jesus experienced a divine affirmation, with the Spirit descending like a dove and the voice from heaven declaring Him the beloved Son of God.
• 🛡 Jesus' baptism and subsequent life served as an example of suffering and patient endurance, showing the path of righteousness amidst conflict and misunderstanding.
• 👑 The voice from heaven confirmed Jesus as the Son of God, despite the world's sins being laid upon Him, affirming His divine nature and mission.
• 📜 The Holy Spirit, through the words 'Behold the Lamb of God,' revealed Jesus as the sacrificial offering for the sins of humanity, a concept rooted in Old Testament prophecies.
• 🙌 The divine acceptance of Jesus at the Jordan signifies God's love and acceptance of humanity, offering hope and the promise of salvation to all who believe.

Q & A

What was the significance of the message that spread throughout Galilee in the script?

The message signified the announcement of the coming of the Messiah, which stirred the hearts of the people, including peasants and fishermen, and prompted Jesus to leave his daily work and follow the call to the Jordan.

How were Jesus and John the Baptist related, and what was the reason for their lack of direct acquaintance?

Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins, related by the circumstances of their birth. However, they had no direct acquaintance because they lived in different regions and under different circumstances, with Jesus in Nazareth and John in the wilderness, to avoid the accusation of conspiring together.

What was John the Baptist's understanding of Jesus' identity before Jesus came for baptism?

John the Baptist knew of Jesus' sinless life and believed Him to be the Messiah, but he did not have positive assurance. He was waiting in faith for a sign that would confirm Jesus' divine character.

Why did John the Baptist initially hesitate to baptize Jesus?

John hesitated because he felt unworthy to baptize Jesus, who he recognized as sinless. He questioned how he, a sinner, could baptize the One who needed no repentance and why Jesus would submit to a rite that symbolized the confession of guilt.

What was the purpose of Jesus' baptism according to the script?

Jesus' baptism was not for His own guilt but to identify with sinners, taking the steps and doing the work that humanity must do, setting an example for them.

What vision did Jesus see after being baptized, and what does it symbolize?

Jesus saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. This symbolizes the Holy Spirit coming to rest on Jesus, affirming His divine mission and character.

What did the voice from heaven say, and what was its significance?

The voice from heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' This declaration confirmed Jesus as the Son of God and served to inspire faith in the witnesses and to strengthen Jesus for His mission.

How did John the Baptist react to the heavenly vision and the voice from heaven?

John the Baptist was deeply moved and recognized the token which God had promised. He knew that he had baptized the world's Redeemer and, filled with the Holy Spirit, he proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God.

What is the meaning of Jesus being referred to as 'the Lamb of God'?

The term 'Lamb of God' refers to Jesus as the sacrificial offering for the sins of humanity, paralleling the biblical story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac and the divine provision of a ram in his place.

What does the script suggest about the relationship between Jesus and humanity in the context of prayer and divine acceptance?

The script suggests that Jesus, as our representative, has made us accepted in the Beloved. His prayer and the glory that rested upon Him are a pledge of God's love for humanity, showing that our petitions can find acceptance in heaven.

What hope does the script offer for the most sinful, needy, and oppressed?

The script offers hope that even the most sinful, needy, and oppressed can find access to the Father through Jesus, who has prepared a home for all in the mansions of heaven.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 The Call to Baptism and Divine Recognition

The first paragraph describes the widespread news of the wilderness prophet's announcement, which resonated deeply with the simple folk of Galilee. Jesus, recognizing His call, bids farewell to His mother and journeys to the Jordan, following the footsteps of His countrymen. Jesus and John, though cousins and related by birth, had no direct acquaintance due to their separate lives in Nazareth and the wilderness. John, aware of Jesus' sinless life, believed Him to be the Messiah but lacked certainty. Jesus' request for baptism surprised John, as he felt unworthy to baptize the sinless. However, Jesus insisted, stating it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness. Upon baptism, Jesus experienced a divine revelation, witnessing the heavens open and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove, signifying His divine nature and mission.

05:07

🙏 Solitude and Prayer for Strength

The second paragraph delves into the loneliness and spiritual burden Jesus faced throughout His life and ministry. Despite being divine, Jesus chose to live a life of solitude, bearing the weight of humanity's sin and suffering. His mission was misunderstood by His family, His disciples, and even by John the Baptist. Jesus' prayer on the riverbank, after His baptism, was a plea for strength to overcome human unbelief and the power of Satan. The Father answered His prayer directly, sending a dovelike form of light and a voice from heaven, affirming Jesus as His beloved Son, providing both a public confirmation of His identity and a source of strength for His mission ahead.

10:14

🕊 The Prophetic Symbolism of the Lamb of God

The third paragraph explores the symbolism of Jesus as the 'Lamb of God,' a reference to the sacrificial lambs of the Old Testament, which pointed to the coming Savior. The Holy Spirit, speaking through Isaiah, prophesied about the suffering servant who would bear the iniquities of all. However, the people of Israel failed to grasp this lesson. God's love is the source of the gift of reconciliation, and Jesus' baptismal experience, including the voice from heaven, is a testament to humanity's acceptance in God's eyes. The glory that rested upon Jesus is a symbol of God's love for all, signifying the power of prayer and the reconnection of earth with heaven. The narrative concludes with the assurance that through Jesus, even the most sinful and needy can find a home in heaven, as He has prepared a place for all who believe.

Keywords

💡Baptism

Baptism is a Christian sacrament that symbolizes the cleansing of sins and the initiation into the Christian faith. In the context of the video, Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist is a pivotal event, marking the beginning of His public ministry. It is significant as Jesus, though sinless, chooses to identify with sinners by undergoing baptism, setting an example for believers to follow.

💡Wilderness Prophet

The term 'Wilderness Prophet' refers to John the Baptist, who lived in the wilderness of Judea and preached repentance before the coming of Jesus. His role in the video is crucial as he prepares the way for Jesus' ministry, and his recognition of Jesus' purity and divine nature at the baptism is a key moment that validates Jesus' mission.

💡Messiah

The Messiah is a term from Jewish tradition referring to a savior or liberator, prophesied to come and restore the Kingdom of Israel. In the video, John the Baptist believes Jesus to be the Messiah due to His sinless life and the signs that were revealed to John. The confirmation of Jesus as the Messiah is further solidified by the voice from heaven during His baptism.

💡Repentance

Repentance is the act of feeling regret or remorse for one's wrongdoings and seeking forgiveness. In the script, the people coming to John the Baptist for baptism are demonstrating their repentance, acknowledging their sins and seeking spiritual renewal. This concept is central to the theme of redemption and forgiveness in the video.

💡Sinlessness

Sinlessness refers to the state of being without sin. Jesus is described as sinless throughout the video, highlighting His purity and divine nature. His sinlessness is contrasted with the sinful nature of humanity, emphasizing His unique role as the Savior who can offer redemption to a sinful world.

💡Redemption

Redemption in a religious context is the act of delivering or saving from sin or evil. The video portrays Jesus as the Redeemer, who takes on the sins of the world and offers salvation to humanity. His willingness to be baptized and His subsequent ministry and sacrifice are all part of the redemptive plan.

💡Divine Character

Divine character refers to the qualities and nature of the divine or God. In the video, Jesus' divine character is revealed through His sinlessness, the recognition by John the Baptist, and the sign from heaven during His baptism. This divine character is central to understanding His mission and role as the Savior.

💡Righteousness

Righteousness is the state or quality of being morally right or just. In the script, Jesus instructs John to baptize Him to 'fulfill all righteousness,' signifying that His actions are in accordance with God's will and moral order. This concept is integral to the narrative of Jesus' obedience and His role as the perfect sacrifice.

💡Lamb of God

The 'Lamb of God' is a biblical metaphor for Jesus, symbolizing His role as the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sins of the world. John the Baptist uses this term when he identifies Jesus after His baptism, and it is a key concept that encapsulates the sacrificial and redemptive aspects of Jesus' mission.

💡Heavenly Vision

A heavenly vision in the script refers to the divine revelation experienced by the people at the Jordan River during Jesus' baptism. The vision includes the opening of the heavens, the descent of the Spirit like a dove, and the voice from God declaring Jesus as His beloved Son. This vision serves to authenticate Jesus' divine mission and to inspire faith among the witnesses.

💡Salvation

Salvation in the context of the video is the deliverance from sin and its consequences, offered through Jesus Christ. It is the ultimate goal of Jesus' mission and the message He brings to humanity. The video emphasizes that salvation is available to all through faith in Jesus, as illustrated by the prayer of Jesus for the power to overcome unbelief and the declaration from heaven.

Highlights

The message of the wilderness prophet spread throughout Galilee, reaching peasants and fisher folk, who responded earnestly.

Jesus recognized the call to follow the footsteps of his countrymen to the Jordan for baptism.

Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins with closely related circumstances of birth but had no direct acquaintance.

John was aware of Jesus' sinless life and believed Him to be the Messiah, though without positive assurance.

Jesus' many years of obscurity raised doubts about whether He was the Promised One.

John was told in a revelation that the Messiah would seek baptism from him as a sign of divine character.

John recognized Jesus' purity of character, unlike any other man, and His holy presence.

Jesus requested baptism, leading John to question how he, a sinner, could baptize the Sinless One.

Jesus instructed John to fulfill all righteousness by allowing the baptism to proceed.

After baptism, Jesus saw the heavens open and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.

Jesus' baptism was not a confession of guilt but an identification with sinners, setting an example.

Jesus prayed on the river bank, beginning a new era of His life's conflict as the Prince of Peace.

Jesus' coming was to establish a kingdom opposite to what the Jews desired, leading to misunderstanding and opposition.

Despite taking on humanity's fallen nature, Jesus was declared the Son of the Eternal by the voice from heaven.

John recognized Jesus as the world's Redeemer after witnessing the heavenly vision and hearing the voice.

The words 'Behold the Lamb of God' signify Jesus as the sacrificial offering for the sins of the world.

The sacrificial system was misunderstood by many, missing the true meaning of God's love in providing atonement.

Jesus' prayer and the divine response demonstrate the power of prayer and God's acceptance of humanity.

The glory that rested upon Christ is a pledge of God's love for us, signifying our acceptance in the Beloved.

Jesus has reconnected earth with heaven, allowing humanity to find acceptance and power through prayer.

The voice from heaven affirms Jesus as the beloved Son, embracing humanity and offering hope for our redemption.

Jesus has opened a way for the most sinful and needy to find access to the Father and a home in heaven.

The open door set before us signifies that no one can shut off our access to God through Jesus.

Transcripts

The Desire of Ages

Chapter 11: The Baptism  

Tidings of the wilderness prophet and his  wonderful announcement, spread throughout Galilee.  

The message reached the peasants  in the remotest hill towns,  

and the fisher folk by the sea, and in these  simple, earnest hearts found its truest response.  

In Nazareth it was told in the carpenter shop  that had been Joseph's, and One recognized the  

call. His time had come. Turning from His  daily toil, He bade farewell to His mother,  

and followed in the steps of His  countrymen who were flocking to the Jordan. 

Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins,  and closely related by the circumstances  

of their birth; yet they had had no  direct acquaintance with each other.  

The life of Jesus had been spent at Nazareth in  Galilee; that of John, in the wilderness of Judea.  

Amid widely different surroundings  they had lived in seclusion,  

and had had no communication with each other.  Providence had ordered this. No occasion was to  

be given for the charge that they had conspired  together to support each other's claims. 

John was acquainted with the events that had  marked the birth of Jesus. He had heard of the  

visit to Jerusalem in His boyhood, and of what  had passed in the school of the rabbis. He knew  

of His sinless life, and believed Him to be the  Messiah; but of this he had no positive assurance.  

The fact that Jesus had for so many years remained  in obscurity, giving no special evidence of  

His mission, gave occasion for doubt as to  whether He could be the Promised One. The Baptist,  

however, waited in faith, believing that  in God's own time all would be made plain.  

It had been revealed to him that the Messiah would  seek baptism at his hands, and that a sign of His  

divine character should then be given. Thus he  would be enabled to present Him to the people. 

When Jesus came to be baptized, John recognized  in Him a purity of character that he had never  

before perceived in any man. The very 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? 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. Every sin, every  discord, every defiling lust that transgression  

had brought, was torture to His spirit. Alone He must tread the path; alone He  

must bear the burden. Upon Him who had laid off  His glory and accepted the weakness of humanity  

the redemption of the world must rest. He saw and  felt it all, but His purpose remained steadfast.  

Upon His arm depended the salvation  of the fallen race, and He reached out  

His hand to grasp the hand of Omnipotent Love. The Saviour's glance seems to penetrate heaven  

as He pours out His soul in prayer. Well He knows  how sin has hardened the hearts of men, and  

how difficult it will be for them to discern  His mission, and accept the gift of salvation.  

He pleads with the Father for power to  overcome their unbelief, to break the  

fetters with which Satan has enthralled  them, and in their behalf to conquer  

the destroyer. He asks for the witness that  God accepts humanity in the person of His Son. 

Never before have the angels listened to such  a prayer. They are eager to bear to their loved  

Commander a message of assurance and comfort. But  no; the Father Himself will answer the petition  

of His Son. Direct from the throne issue the beams  of His glory. The heavens are opened, and upon the  

Saviour's head descends a dovelike form of purest  light,—fit emblem of Him, the meek and lowly One. 

Of the vast throng at the Jordan, few except John  discerned the heavenly vision. Yet the solemnity  

of the divine Presence rested upon the assembly.  The people stood silently gazing upon Christ.  

His form was bathed in the light that  ever surrounds the throne of God.  

His upturned face was glorified as they had  never before seen the face of man. From the  

open heavens a voice was heard saying, "This  is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 

These words of confirmation were given to  inspire faith in those who witnessed the scene,  

and to strengthen the Saviour for His mission.  Notwithstanding that the sins of a guilty world  

were laid upon Christ, notwithstanding the  humiliation of taking upon Himself our fallen  

nature, the voice from heaven declared  Him to be the Son of the Eternal. 

John had been deeply moved as he  saw Jesus bowed as a suppliant,  

pleading with tears for the approval of the  Father. As the glory of God encircled Him, and  

the voice from heaven was heard, John recognized  the token which God had promised. He knew that it  

was the world's Redeemer whom he had baptized. The  Holy Spirit rested upon him, and with outstretched  

hand pointing to Jesus, he cried, "Behold the Lamb  of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." 

None among the hearers, and not even the speaker  himself, discerned the import of these words,  

"the Lamb of God." Upon Mount Moriah,  Abraham had heard the question of his son,  

"My father, . . . where is the lamb for a burnt  offering?" The father answered, "My son, God  

will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering."  Genesis 22:7, 8. And in the ram divinely provided  

in the place of Isaac, Abraham saw a symbol  of Him who was to die for the sins of men.  

The Holy Spirit through Isaiah, taking up  the illustration, prophesied of the Saviour,  

"He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,"  "and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity  

of us all" (Isaiah 53:7, 6); but the people  of Israel had not understood the lesson.  

Many of them regarded the sacrificial  offerings much as the heathen looked  

upon their sacrifices,—as gifts by which  they themselves might propitiate the Deity.  

God desired to teach them that from His own love  comes the gift which reconciles them to Himself. 

And the word that was spoken to Jesus  at the Jordan, "This is My beloved Son,  

in whom I am well pleased," embraces humanity.  God spoke to Jesus as our representative.  

With all our sins and weaknesses, we are not cast  aside as worthless. "He hath made us accepted in  

the Beloved." Ephesians 1:6. The glory that rested  upon Christ is a pledge of the love of God for us.  

It tells us of the power of prayer,—how  the human voice may reach the ear of God,  

and our petitions find acceptance in the courts  of heaven. By sin, earth was cut off from heaven,  

and alienated from its communion; but Jesus has  connected it again with the sphere of glory.  

His love has encircled man, and reached  the highest heaven. The light which fell  

from the open portals upon the head of our  Saviour will fall upon us as we pray for help  

to resist temptation. The voice which spoke to  Jesus says to every believing soul, This is My  

beloved child, in whom I am well pleased. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God,  

and it doth not yet appear what we shall  be: but we know that, when He shall appear,  

we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He  is." 1 John 3:2. Our Redeemer has opened the way  

so that the most sinful, the most  needy, the most oppressed and despised,  

may find access to the Father. All may have a home  in the mansions which Jesus has gone to prepare.  

"These things saith He that is holy, He  that is true, He that hath the key of David,  

He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and  shutteth, and no man openeth; . . . behold,  

I have set before thee an open door, and  no man can shut it." Revelation 3:7, 8.