Baptism of Jesus

Baptism of Jesus.

(The Gospel History, Section 16)

And it came to pass in those days, when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also came from Nazareth of Galilee to the Jordan unto John to be baptized of him. But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? But Jesus answering saith unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus when he was baptized went up straightway out of the water and was praying: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending in a bodily form as a dove and coming upon him; and lo, a voice came out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son; in whom I am well pleased.

Baptism of Jesus

(The Saviour of the World, Vol I Book II Poem V)

Now, in those days when all men were baptized,
It came to pass that Jesus journeyed forth
From Nazareth of Galilee to the Jordan
Unto John to be baptized of him. But John,
To whom man’s face was as an open book,
Saw coming, One, the like of whom before
His eyes had not beheld; of countenance
Unsullied from the womb by passing thought
Unworthy, aspect benign and gracious—
So might all living souls and things of earth
Hang cheerful on His glad beneficence:—
Impressions like to these, but more than these,
His quick sense caught; as the august Presence,
With never following or sign of state,
Drew near, the prophet quailed before the light
Of Godhead on His brow, not knowing it.

John would have hindered Him from being baptized—
“It is I have need to be baptized of Thee,
And comest Thou to me?” Jesus, regarding
His forerunner with sweet look (who knew Him not
Save as he had eyes and saw), said, “Suffer it now;
Thus it becometh us all righteousness
To fulfil. That which is good for all, is good
Likewise for Me, for Mine, the life of all.”
Then he suffered Him. Jesus, being baptized,
Went straightway up from the water, and knelt and prayed.
And, behold, the heavens opened, and John saw
The Spirit of God descending, like a dove
In bodily form, and coming upon Him
(John knew the sign which answered all his thought),
And, lo, a Voice out of the heavens spake,
“This is My Son beloved, who pleaseth Me.”

St. Matthew iii. 13-17.
St. Mark i. 9-11.
St. Luke iii. 21, 22.