John 1:29-34: Baptism and the Holy Spirit
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Today’s Reading John 1:29-34
The day after John the Baptist was questioned by the Priests, Levites, and Pharisees, John saw Jesus coming and recognized Him immediately.
John recognized Jesus in the womb, and he recognized Jesus immediately when he saw him later. It’s interesting that before the siting in John 1:31, John did not know who he was preparing the way for. I am guessing that they didn’t hang out as kids even though Jesus and John would have been cousins.
In both cases (pre-birth, and as an adult) John recognized Jesus because he heard from God. I am always amazed that in the Bible, the people recognized the voice of God and knew exactly what to do. This goes against the modern idea that God is difficult to hear or understand.
Finally, in verse 33, John speaks of Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit. He puts baptism by water side by side with baptism with the Holy Spirit. In this case, I think we see that one (water baptism) is incomplete without the other (Spirit baptism).