When John Saw Jesus<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, \u201cI have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?\u201d But Jesus answering said to him, \u201cPermit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.\u201d Then he permitted Him. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, \u201cThis is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2014Matthew 3:13\u201317<\/p>\n
Let us understand this prophet, John the Baptist. According to the Scriptures, John was filled with the Holy Spirit \u201cwhile yet in his mother\u2019s womb\u201d (Luke 1:15). We are also told his coming was in the spirit and power of Elijah. Historians tell us that John\u2019s penetrating, uncompromising ministry led nearly one million people to repentance. Vast multitudes left their cities and towns and went into the wilderness to hear the prophet and be baptized into repentance in preparation for the kingdom of God.<\/p>\n
Only Jesus knew the fallen condition of the human heart more perfectly than John. No class of people escaped the Baptist\u2019s judgment: soldiers and kings, sinners and religious leaders alike were all brought into the \u201cvalley of decision.\u201d John\u2019s baptism was more than a simple immersion in water. He required a public confession of sins as well as the bringing forth of righteousness (Matt. 3:6, 8).<\/p>\n
Jesus testified that John was \u201cmore than a prophet.\u201d He said, among those born of women, \u201cthere has not arisen anyone greater than John\u201d (Matt. 11:9\u201311). John was a \u201cseer prophet,\u201d which meant he had open vision into the spirit realm. He testified that \u201cI have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven\u201d (John 1:32). He saw \u201cthe wrath to come\u201d (Matt. 3:7). He witnessed \u201cthe kingdom of heaven\u201d (v. 2). John had insight into the secrets of men\u2019s hearts. His vision penetrated the veneer of the well-respected Pharisees; within their souls he saw a \u201cbrood of vipers.\u201d Understand this about prophets: they are aware of things that are hidden from other men.<\/p>\n
But when Jesus came to be baptized, before the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended, John saw something that was overwhelming even to his standard of righteousness. He gazed Jesus\u2019 heart, and he saw no sins, no lies, no lusts. John saw a level of holiness that, without knowing he was gazing at the Messiah, caused him to utter with astonishment, \u201cI have need to be baptized by You\u201d (v. 14).<\/p>\n
Jesus, as the \u201cLamb of God\u201d (John 1:36), was without spot or blemish. This is exactly what the prophet beheld in Jesus: spotless purity of heart. Christ\u2019s virtue took John\u2019s breath away! The powerful emanation of Christ\u2019s inner purity made John immediately aware of his own need. When John saw Jesus, he discovered a level of righteousness that was higher, purer than his own. This great prophet looked into the heart of Jesus, and in the brightness of Christ\u2019s holiness he cried, \u201cI have need.\u201d<\/p>\n
And so it is with us. Each time we see Jesus, each successive revelation of Christ\u2019s purity makes our need more apparent. As Christ\u2019s holiness unfolds before us, we cannot but echo the same cry of John the Baptist: \u201cI have need to be baptized by You!\u201d<\/p>\n
Yet, in the beginning of our walk, we embraced life in our own strength, trusting in our own skills for success and attainment. Yes, we turned to God, but mainly in times of grief or trial. However, as the Lord brings us into maturity, what we once considered strengths are actually discovered to be weaknesses. Our pride and self-confidence keep us from God\u2019s help; the clamor of our many ideas and desires drown the whisper of the still small voice of God. Indeed, in God\u2019s eyes, the best of human successes are still \u201cwretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked\u201d (Rev. 3:17).<\/p>\n
In time, we discover that all true strength, all true effectiveness\u2014yes, our very holiness itself\u2014begins with discovering our need. We grow weaker, less confident in our abilities. As the outer shell of self-righteousness crumbles, Jesus Himself becomes God\u2019s answer to every man who cries for holiness and power in his walk.<\/p>\n
We may think we have spiritual gifts, we may presume we are holy, we may rejoice with human successes, but until we see Christ and abandon our reliance upon our self-righteousness, all we will ever have, at best, is religion.<\/p>\n
Oh, let us grasp this truth with both hands; let it never slip from us. Jesus Himself is our source of holiness! We are so eager to do something for Him\u2014anything, as long as we do not have to change inside. God does not need what we can do; He wants what we are. He wants to make us a holy people. Let us not be anxious in this process. Allow Him to do the deep inner work of preparation. Jesus lived thirty years of sinless purity before He did one work of power! His goal was not to do some great work but to please the Father with a holy life.<\/p>\n
Hear me; our goal, likewise, is not to become powerful but to become holy with Christ\u2019s presence. God promises to empower that which He first makes holy. Do you want your Christianity to work? Then seek Jesus Himself as your source and standard of holiness. Do you want to see the power of God in your life? Then seek to know Christ\u2019s purity of heart. If we are becoming the people Jesus calls His own, we should be growing in holiness. A mature Christian will be both holy and powerful, but holiness will precede power.<\/p><\/span>\n
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