The Baptism of Christ no Degradation
Hacket., From the Danish of Dr. Balle. Matthew 3:13 Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him.… As Caesar did not lessen his own dignity, because he would both command as General, and yet work in the trenches like the meanest pioneer, Dux confilio, miles exemplo; and as Helen, the mother of Constantine, was not under the honour of a princess, because she would dress the blains and ulcers of poor cripples in the hospital; so the mighty Son of God was not diminished in His glory, because He put Himself into the rank of abject ones by His own yielding and accord, not by compulsive necessity. (Hacket.) I. We should sincerely FEEL THE WANT OF A DIVINE REDEEMER. When Jesus demands baptism of John, the latter -publicly declares: "I have need to be baptized of Thee." II. WE SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE WISE COUNSELS OF GOD. III. WE SHOULD ADMIRE THE GRANDEUR AND MAJESTY WITH WHICH JESUS WAS ENCOMPASSED. "We beheld our Saviour encompassed by a glory which transcends the most enchanting pageantry of nature. (From the Danish of Dr. Balle.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. WEB: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.