Many years later, John the Baptist began to preach in the
wilderness around Judea. He wore a rough, heavy garment made of
camel's hair, and for food he ate grasshoppers and wild honey.
"Repent," he cried. "And stop doing wrong! God's Kingdom is coming
soon!" People from miles around came to hear John preach. And
hundreds prayed, telling God they were sorry for their sin. Then
John baptized them in the Jordan River.
"I baptize with water," John explained to the crowds. "But a
greater One is coming! He will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit–and with fire!" The crowd gasped in wonder.
Jesus left Galilee and traveled to the place where John was
preaching. He asked John to baptize Him. "I, baptize You?" cried
John in disbelief. "I am not fit to carry Your sandals. You should
baptize me!"
"Please," said Jesus. "It is right for you to do so." And so John
obeyed Jesus, baptizing Him the same way he had baptized others in
the Jordan River.
As Jesus rose from the water, the heavens split open with a burst
of glorious light! And God's Spirit flew down and landed upon
Jesus in the form of a beautiful dove. A voice spoke from heaven.
"This is My beloved Son, and I am very, very pleased with Him!"
The King, a Servant
John the Baptist was surprised when Jesus came to the Jordan River to be baptized. John knew who Jesus was an he didn't feel worthy of performing this task. But Jesus insisted that John baptize him because that was God's plan.
Jesus didn't came to earth to be a demanding dictator. He came to do the opposite of what everyone expects from a leader - he served others. We often try to be "number one," but Jesus warns us that the first will be last in his new kingdom. Being "the best" by our standards isn't as great as we think.
