John the Baptist
And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. John 1:32 KJV
Have you seen old baptismal certificates hanging on the walls of old buildings such as your grandparent’s house? Or maybe you’ve seen one in a local museum displaying the German heritage of the region in which you live or are visiting? These old certificates remind us of God’s promises such as the fact that “even baptism doth also now save us.” (1 Peter 3:21)
However, the old scene on these certificates should remind us of another amazing reality. The scene I am referring to is the descending of the Holy Ghost upon our Lord in the form of a dove. There are usually angels portrayed in this image, looking down in adoration at the revealed Son of God. We also see John the Baptist pouring water upon our Savior’s head as brilliant light shines down upon Jesus. All of these beautiful old images on these certificates make it abundantly clear that Jesus, whom John is baptizing, is indeed the very Son of God! God the Father made this very clear in His exclamation,“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) Jesus is no mere mortal in need of salvation through baptism but, as He Himself said when John hesitated to baptize Him, ”Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matthew 3:15)
Think of the amazing miracle that occurred that day when Heaven declared that Christ is indeed the Word that has come to dwell among us! Many of the onlooking Pharisees must have been especially amazed since they had only recently been asking if John might be the Christ. No, John was not the Christ, and he had been right in confessing that Jesus is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
Are we bold enough, in our secular day, to confess with John the divinity of our Lord? Can we remember the old baptismal certificates and tell others about the Gospel message which they contain?
Dear Lord, may we have the courage to proclaim our Saviour’s true nature in a hostile world. Amen.