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.