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Scripture |
Matthew 3: 13-1713 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan , to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” |
Devotional |
The practice of baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist raises many questions for believers today. “Baptism was for sinners, and no Jew ever conceived of himself as a sinner shut out from God.” If Barclay is correct why were so many people coming to be baptized in the Jordan by John? The purpose of John’s baptism was for the forgiveness of sin, so why would a sinless Jesus be baptized? This question has always been a puzzle to biblical scholars. 1 According to the apocalyptic expectation of Judaism, God is coming to bring judgment and the anticipated separation of good and evil will take place. Under John’s ministry, Israel is gathered and waiting at the Jordan River . God does not appear from heaven but Jesus arrives from Galilee , not exactly what the people were expecting. Does God always do exactly as we wish? Often we use time and events to make ourselves believe God is doing what we expect. Jesus came for m the center of society to meet John at the margins. Does God call us to leave the mainstream of society to go to the wilderness to meet God at the margins. The early desert mothers and fathers found this to be the case for themselves as they escaped society to meet God in the desert. God calls us to leave our comfortable spot and see the world from a different spot. We will not need to go to the desert but just across town. To the places we usually attempt to avoid. To meet people we would not normally be visiting and talking with. The question of Jesus’ baptism may not be the question God is asking. Could God be asking instead about our baptism? Does this baptism make a difference in the world we live in today? This question may provide more possibilities for us than if Jesus was baptized for the remission of sin.
1 William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Daily Bible Study. Vol. 1 p.60
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