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Matthew 3:13-17
| | John the Baptist in the Jordan River |
The story of the baptism of Jesus really begins with a look at John the Baptist. John the Baptist was a large man and lived a somewhat unusual life. He liked to live and travel in the wilderness, dressed in animal skins and ate berries, nuts, and those things one would find in the wilderness. And on top of looking different, John had started baptising people in the Jordan River on behalf of one he said was to come and so that those who were baptised would be nearer to the kingdom of God.
Jesus had just begun his life of ministry at about the age of 30, and knew John because they were cousins (Mary, Jesus' mother, was the niece of Elizabeth, mother of John. . .Remember that Mary had traveled to Elizabeth when she first learned she was to give birth to the Son of God for advice. While she was there talking to Mary, John, who was still not yet born, began to jump for joy, because he knew the baby inside of Mary was Jesus).
Jesus sought out John at the Jordan so that John could baptise him. But when Jesus asked John to do so, John at first refused saying that he could not because he was not worthy. He thought that Jesus should be baptising him.
Jesus finally convinced John to do the baptism and after he arose from the water, the heavens parted and the voice of God was heard saying:
This is my son and of him am I proud.
Things to remember
Jesus knew he really didn't need to be baptised, because he was without sin, but wanted to do so to let people know that while he was the Son of God, he was very much still an ordinary man. By being baptised Jesus would set the pattern for all those who would come to follow Him and His teachings. People would also no longer be closer to the Kingdom of God, they would be in the Kingdom of God.
Next week:
Wedding at Cana |
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