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A woman, I’ve dared to come to hear John preach in this wilderness beside the Jordan. I’ve been waiting for the Messiah to come and wonder, is this He? I hear John saying, “One is coming who is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to undo. I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the holy Spirit.” No, I believe John is a messenger, a prophet sent from God to prepare people to accept their Redeemer. What will He look like? How will I know Him? I want to have deliverance from the oppression of life. In my heart I desire freedom and peace. When the Messiah comes and sets up His kingdom I want to be a part and serve this King.
Suddenly my eyes are riveted on the river where a Man about the prophet’s age is wading into the water. I gaze on His calm, peaceful face, so unlike the teachers who have been coming to hear John preach. There is something different about this Man. John and He are conversing, but I can’t hear their words. As I watch, John slowly lowers Him into the dirty water. Dripping, the Man wades out of the stream, face radiant, and kneels on the bank, lifting His hands toward heaven. He must be praying. Suddenly the sky appears to open and the form of a dove flutters earthward, lighting upon the Man. Rays of light envelop Him. I am awed. It’s as though I am standing in the presence of God, and in my heart I feel unworthy to be here. Yet, I can not move. I wait, straining my ears to catch any words the Man might say. Then I hear a voice, not from the bowed Man, but from the heavens. Authoritatively it announces, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am very pleased.” I’m sure this is a vision I have witnessed and questions bombard my mind. What does this mean? Is the dove real? Who spoke? Above all I wonder--Who is this man? Lost in thought I don’t notice when He arises and disappears in the crowd. I long to find Him—to follow Him. Then I remember how improper that would be. I am a woman. I can’t go seeking a man. So I go home.
Even in my sleep I dream of this Man. Over and over I envision a descending dove and see His serene face. As I go about my work I often think of what I’d witnessed by the Jordan and slowly the idea begins to form in my mind, perhaps He is the Messiah. With this thought more questions arise. If He is the Messiah, then why was He baptized? He would be perfect and in no need of repentance. Days pass and I hear nothing about a kingdom being set up. No one mentions the Man.
One day I decide to go again and hear John preach. In fact, I feel compelled to go, as though an inner force is drawing me. I can’t explain the urgency I feel to find John. As I hurry toward the uninhabited places beyond my town, my heart seems restless with a longing for purpose in my life. Maybe I’m searching for happiness, something beyond the trials and sorrows which I’ve experienced.
As I near the Jordan I can hear people talking, so I know this must be the place where John is preaching today. Skirting the crowd, I make my way closer to where John stands. Gathering my skirts about me I sink wearily to the ground. It has been a long walk in the morning heat and it feels good to rest. Suddenly the crowd grows quiet and all eyes turn to see who John is pointing at. My heart skips a beat as my eyes rest upon the Man—the One I’d seen baptized weeks ago. He looks over the crowd, seeking a place to sit. My eyes are glued to this Man, but my ears hear John speaking. “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” In that instant I know this Man is the Messiah—the Savior. Joyous anticipation bubbles up inside me. A new day for Israel is dawning. In my lifetime I will witness change and the setting up of a great kingdom. Things will surely be different now, and perhaps I will find happiness.
The Man comes closer to where I am and seats Himself among the crowd as one with us. Then He looks directly at me and smiles. Shyly, I smile back. His look seems to read my heart. From this moment I know I will follow Him—somehow.
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