4. The Baptism of JesusMt 3:13-17; Mk 1:9-11; Lk 3:21-22; Jn 1:29-34Although this scene takes place in the same location as the previous one, the atmosphere is entirely different:the audience is much more sympathetic, composed mostly of disciples. In the earlier passage John addressedunbelievers; here he bears witness in the presence of believing disciples. While Jesus humbles Himself sodeeply that He receives baptism from the hands of John, He is solemnly revealed by the Father and the HolySpirit as the Messiah. The visible descent of the Holy Spirit is the outward sign that in Him the prophecy ofIsaiah (11:2) is fulfilled: “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and piety.” As the Holy Spirit anoints the Messiahfor the work of redemption, the voice of the Father is heard from heaven, pointing to Him as His beloved Son,begotten of Him from all eternity.Mt.3,13 Then Jesus came from Galilee tothe Jordan to John, to be baptised by him.Mk.1,9 In those days Jesus camefrom Nazareth of Galilee and wasbaptised by John in the Jordan.Jo.1,29a The next day hesaw Jesus coming towardhim.When Jesus had reached the age of thirty, news reached Nazareth that a man named John had appeared at theJordan proclaiming: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The merchants and the donkey-driverswere the first to speak about him. It did not take long before some men from Nazareth also travelled to theJordan to see the prophet about whom so much was being said. They returned so deeply moved that soonwhole groups of people set out together. The religious excitement that had already spread throughout Judeanow reached Galilee as well. John tells us that even before Jesus arrived, several disciples (Andrew, Peter,Philip, Nathanael) had already gone to the Baptist. Then came the day when Jesus of Nazareth also set out forthe Jordan. Before leaving, He put His workshop in order. He comp...