The knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, is, as we have already learned, necessary to gain eternal life, the greatest of all gifts. But how shall we come into possession of that knowledge? Shortly before His {39} death, Jesus taught His disciples thus: "I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever." And a little later, "When the Comforter is come, whom I will send you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of me." So, then, we may gain the knowledge, the testimony, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, through the inspiration of the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. And to be influenced by the Spirit of Truth, we must ourselves worship in spirit and in truth. Sooner or later the testimony must be obtained, for it is decreed that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ. THE REFERENCES John 4:1-42. Matt. 27:11. John 10:24, 25. Luke 24:25-27. Matt. 11:3-6. John 14:16. Mark 14:61, 62. John 15:26. THE QUESTIONS 1. What is the meaning of the Christ? 2. What is the significance of Christ's ministry at Sychar? 3. On what other occasions did Jesus publicly declare Himself the Christ? 4. Of what particular value is His testimony to the disciples on the road to Emmaus? 5. How is a testimony of the Christ to be obtained? {40} PICTURE: JESUS AND NICODEMUS, Artist Unknown {41} V THE SPECIAL WITNESS OF JESUS [Sidenote: The end of the period of preparation.] It was the day of the baptism. Jesus had completed the years of preparation for His ministry of service. We know very little of what He did during the eighteen years from the time of His first visit to the temple to the time of His baptism. The historian Luke tells us that Jesus went down to Nazareth with His parents and was subject to them. "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." The day of the baptism was momentous, however; for it was the day on which the special witness of Jesus made special recognition of Him as the Christ. [Sidenote: The testimony at the baptism.] John the Baptizer was performing the ordinance of baptism in the river Jordan for all those who requested it. Thither, then Jesus went; for He, too, wished to be baptized. But when Jesus approached, John felt that in Him was One greater than he; just such a One as he had himself predicted, whose shoestrings he was unworthy to untie. When, therefore, Jesus asked for baptism, John replied, "I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?" "And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered Him.