“Then John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. And I did not recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining—this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.’” —John 1:32–34
Having been told what would happen, John the Baptist recognizes and takes note with reflection and acute interest the Holy Spirit descending from heaven and manifesting himself in the form of a dove and abiding on Jesus. So certain was he of what his ears had heard and now his eyes beheld that John the Baptist exclaimed with great assurance:
“I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.” —John 1:34
It must be overwhelming to experience what one has only been told and believed through faith and then subsequently be given the privilege to actually see it. At the end of the book of Job we find a similar situation where faith becomes sealed with sight:
“Then Job answered the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted; you asked, “Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?” But I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know. You said, “Pay attention, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.” I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen you. Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes!’” —Job 42:1–6
I am reminded of Peter’s response to Jesus’ question about who the disciples thought He was:
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
And then Jesus replied to Peter:
“You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven!” —Matthew 16:16–17
Just as with John the Baptist and Job, it was the Father in heaven who revealed this truth to Peter. It mattered not to them that Jesus was not clad in external pomp and grandeur; they were not ashamed to confess freely that Jesus was God’s Son.
Just as the prophet Isaiah had prophesized:
“He sprouted up like a twig before God, like a root out of parched soil; he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention, no special appearance that we should want to follow him. He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him; he was despised, and we considered him insignificant. But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed.” —Isaiah 53:2–5
John the Baptist tells us that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. John’s cleansing with water was one thing, but the cleansing that would be produced by the Holy Spirit would be totally different. After His suffering and resurrection, Jesus gave convincing proof to His followers that He was indeed alive and commanded them to wait for the gift of the promised Holy Spirit. Just as John identified people with himself through the baptism of water, now Jesus would identify His followers through the Holy Spirit bestowing upon them His gifts and graces and comforts. This is a confirmation of John’s words “I baptize you with water … but the one coming after me is more powerful than I am … He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11).
Jesus confirms John’s message in the book of Acts:
“To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God. While he was with them, he declared, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised, which you heard about from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” —Acts 1:3–5
The Chosen One of God came to give us new life and to empower us to fulfill God’s purposes in the world!
Become More
Jesus was not what the people expected—they were looking for pomp and splendor. Likewise, we are not to be not what the world expects. Each one of us is to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, showing the humility and love of Jesus through our words and deeds.
Further Reflections
“Would you follow Christ? Then follow him in self-denial, in humility, in patience, and in readiness for every good work. Follow him with a daily cross upon your back, and look to his cross to make your burden light. Follow him as your Guide and Guard, and learn to see with his eyes, and to trust in his arm for defense. Follow him as the Friend of sinners, who healeth the broken in heart, and giveth rest to the weary souls, and casteth out none that come into him. Follow him with faith, resting your whole acceptance with God, and your title to heaven, on his meritorious blood and righteousness. Lastly, follow him with much prayer. For, though he is full of compassion, he loves to be much entreated; and when he is determined to give a blessing, you must yet wrestle with him for it. Thus follow Jesus, and he will lead you to glory.” —K. H. Von Bogatzky