rring to the sublime
prophecy of Daniel ix. 24. That He might make an end of sin and bring
in everlasting righteousness, it was essential that the Lamb of God
should confess the sins of the people as his own (see Psa. lxix. 5).
This was his first step on his journey to the Cross, every step of
which was in fulfilment of all righteousness, in order that He might
bring in everlasting righteousness.

"Then he suffered Him." Some things we have to _do_ for Christ, and
some to _bear_ for Him. Active virtues are great; but the passive ones
are rarer and cost more, especially for strong natures like the
Baptist's. But, in all our human life, there is nothing more
attractive than when a strong man yields to another, accepts a deeper
interpretation of duty than he had perceived, and is prepared to set
aside his strong convictions of propriety before the tender pleadings
of a still, soft voice. Yield to Christ, dear heart. Suffer Him to
have his way. Take his yoke, and be meek and lowly of heart--so shalt
thou find rest.

III. THE DESIGNATION OF THE MESSIAH.--It is not to be supposed that
the designation of Jesus as the Christ was given to any but John. It
was apparently a private sign given to him, as the Forerunner and
Herald, through which he might be authoritatively informed as to the
identity of the Messiah. To say nothing of the impossibility of
ordinary and unanointed eyes beholding the descent of the Holy Spirit,
John's own statements seem to point clearly in this direction. He
says, "I knew Him not" (_i.e._, as Son of God), "but He that sent me to
baptize with water, He said unto me, 'Upon whomsoever thou shalt see
the Spirit descending, and abiding upon Him, the same is He that
baptizeth with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen, and have borne
witness that this is the Son of God" (John i. 32-34). The same thought
appears from putting a perfectly legitimate construction on the words
of the first evangelist: "Lo, the heavens were opened unto him"
(_i.e._, the Baptist), "and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a
dove, and coming upon Him" (Matt. iii. 16).

What a theophany was here! As the Man of Nazareth emerged from the
water, the sign for which John had been eagerly waiting and looking was
granted. He had believed he would see it, but had never thought to see
it granted to one so near akin to himself. We never expect the great
God to come to us! And the exclamation, Lo, indicates his startled
sur