When Zechariah and Elizabeth's son, John the Baptist, was growing up, he went to live in the desert. There he prayed and fasted to prepare for the great work he was to do. He was to get people ready to accept Jesus. When God told him it was time, he began to preach.
Everyone, he said, should come and be baptized, and be sorry for their sins. "I baptize with water to lead people to sorrow for their sins," he said, "but there is Someone coming Who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. I am not even worthy to untie His sandals for Him." One of those who came to be baptized was his cousin, Jesus.
When John saw Jesus, he said, "It is I who should be baptized by You."
"Let it be this way now," said Jesus. So John baptized Him. Suddenly heaven opened; the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, came down and rested on Jesus, and a Voice from heaven said, "This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased."
John the Baptist told of this. "I saw the Spirit coming down on Him from heaven like a dove, and resting on Him. I did not know Him myself, but He Who sent me to baptize with water had said to me, 'The Man on Whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the One Who is going to baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Yes," John said, "I have seen and am the witness that He is the Chosen One of God."
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