Sinless Christ Baptized

Jesus did not receive baptism as a confession of His own guilt. 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.HH 42.6

Coming up out of the water, Jesus bowed in prayer on the river bank. He was now entering the conflict of His life. Though He was the Prince of Peace, His coming must be like the unsheathing of a sword. The kingdom He had come to establish was the opposite of the one the Jews desired. They would see Him as the enemy and destroyer of Israel’s rituals and system, condemn Him as a transgressor, and denounce Him as the devil. No one on earth had understood Him, and He must still walk alone. His mother and brothers did not comprehend His mission. Even His disciples did not understand Him.HH 43.1

As Someone united to us, He must bear our guilt and woe. The Sinless One must feel the shame of sin. The Peace-Lover must live with strife, the truth must abide with falsehood, and purity with depravity. Every sin, every conflict, every defiling lust was torture to His spirit.HH 43.2

He must walk the path alone. The redemption of the world must rest on Him who had accepted the weakness of humanity. He saw and felt it all, but His determination remained firm.HH 43.3

The Savior poured out His soul in prayer. He knew how sin had hardened the hearts of men and women, how difficult it would be for them to comprehend His mission and accept salvation. He pleaded with the Father for power to overcome their unbelief, to break the chains with which Satan had held them, and to conquer the destroyer.HH 43.4

Never before had angels heard such a prayer. The Father Himself would answer the request of His Son. The heavens opened, and a dovelike form of purest light descended on the Savior’s head.HH 43.5

Few people at the Jordan except John recognized the heavenly vision. Yet the solemn sense of God’s presence rested on the assembly. Christ’s upturned face was glorified as they had never before seen any human face. From the open heavens, they heard a Voice: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”HH 43.6