The Judge of all, the Lord of the worlds of whom John the Baptist prophesied, is Jesus of Nazareth who mixed with the multitudes of people who crowded at the banks of the Jordan without being noticed by anyone. The astonishing thing is that the Holy One, though sinless himself, classed himself with the sinners, and submitted to the baptism of John, as if he needed to be purified from sins. However, Christ, the pure Holy One lived constantly a sinless life, continued in love and patience, and was baptized for us in the Jordan, for he bore our sins. From the beginning of his appearance, he came out as the Lamb of God; and in his baptism, he clarified to us beforehand what he was determined to finish on the cross.
He who was born of the Holy Spirit did not go out of his isolation through an exciting miracle, or a loud-voiced speech, but in the symbol of the baptism of redemption to all men, confirming the meaning of his mission and his harmony with God’s design. After his baptism, he spoke with his Father about this redemptive design, praying and making himself of no reputation. Then the closed heavens parted, and the Holy Spirit came down, not as a destroying thunderbolt over the corrupt mankind, but in the form of a dove (a symbol of innocence and harmlessness, a messenger of peace), as an indication of reconciliation with God. Christ was not in need of baptism with the Holy Spirit, for he himself is the Spirit of God made incarnate. However his Father spread through him the fullness of his Spirit, to confirm and support him for his redemptive mission, and to reveal his harmonization with the Holy Spirit in the unity of the Holy Trinity. God completely seeks our salvation. Did you thank him for this unequalled revelation?
God revealed his glory not only to the eyes of Jesus and the Baptist, but also to their ears, for the word of God contains all his authority expressed in meanings made understandable to our minds. The Father testified his own Fatherhood, Jesus’ sonship, and their complete unity in joyful love. Therefore the little words revealed after Christ’s baptism show us the glory of the essence of the Holy Trinity more than all human philosophies do. There is no enmity, disturbance, or sorrow between the Father and the Son, for Christ has always done his Father’s will. Our God is the God of peace, of love, and of pleasure.
These principles reveal to us the aim of Christ’s redemption, for he wishes to make all the believers partners in the characteristics of his essence, so that God may become our Father in heaven, and we become filled with his Holy Spirit, living in harmony with his will for the Father’s pleasure, and continuing in his love and peace. Which spirit works in you? Were you baptized with the Holy Spirit indeed? Did you fulfill his design in his mighty power? Then God says to you, "You are my beloved son; in you I am well pleased."