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The Baptism of Jesus
This chapter is based on Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21,
22.
The message of John the Baptist reached the poor people in the
remote hill towns and the fishermen by the sea, and in these simple,
earnest hearts, it found its greatest response. In Nazareth, it was told
in the carpentry shop that had been Joseph’s, and One recognized
the call. His time had come. He said Goodbye to His mother and
followed the crowds that were flocking to the Jordan.
Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins, yet they had had no
direct acquaintance with each other. This was part of God’s plan. No
one would be able to say that they had conspired together to support
each other’s claims.
John knew about the events that had marked the birth of Jesus
and also about the visit to Jerusalem in His boyhood and His sinless
life. He believed Him to be the Messiah, but the fact that Jesus had
remained in the shadows, giving no special evidence of His mission,
gave John opportunity for doubt. The Baptist, however, waited in
faith. God had revealed to him that the Messiah would seek baptism
from him and that he would receive a sign of His divine character.
When Jesus came to be baptized, John recognized in Him a
purity of character that no one had ever before seen in anyone. His
very presence was awe-inspiring. This was in harmony with what
had been revealed to John about the Messiah. Yet how could he, a
sinner, baptize the Sinless One? Why should He who needed no
repentance submit to a rite that was a confession of guilt that must
be washed away?
As Jesus asked for baptism, John hesitated, saying, “‘I have
need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’ But Jesus
answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting
for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him. ... When
He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water;
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