John viewed himself simply as a predecessor, preparing the way for the Messiah. But then one day, it happened. The Messiah arrived. “Jesus came forth from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him” (Mt. 3:13). What an amazing encounter that must have been! For John, this meeting meant the culmination of his entire career as the prophet who prepared the people for their king. For Jesus, however, it marked the very beginning of His mission as the Messiah. Jesus’ baptism