Jesus and John the Baptist at the Jordan

John the Baptist, clothed in a rough camel-hair garment, stands face to face with Jesus in a close, solemn exchange. The composition focuses on their conversation before the baptism in the Jordan, when John resisted baptizing the One greater than himself and Jesus answered that it was fitting “to fulfill all righteousness.” The stripped-down setting keeps attention on the meeting of prophet and Messiah: John as the wilderness herald of repentance, and Jesus as the obedient Son entering His public ministry. This artwork serves well for teaching on the baptism of Christ, humility, obedience, repentance, and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.