Jesus and JohnB
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew3:13-17) |
John the Baptist (I call him JohnB) offered a baptism of repentance. He was related to Jesus (his mother, Elizabeth, was related to Jesus' mother Mary). JohnB knew who Jesus was - he had danced in the womb when pregnant Mary came to visit Elizabeth. He knew Jesus was the blessed one, the Messiah.
This is why JohnB balks at the idea of baptising Jesus. The baptism he offered was a baptism of repentance - a confession of sin and a new beginning. It was the same as proselyte baptism for gentiles who converted to Judaism. They became Israelites, were given new names, and their baptism date was considered their birth date and they committed themselves to God, to Judaism and the Law. When JohnB preached repentance and baptised people, they were acknowledging their need for God and their need for forgiveness.
JohnB knew that Jesus was the Messiah.
He knew that Jesus was without sin.
Baptism didn't make sense in His case.
But by being baptised, Jesus was identifying with sinful humanity.
(It's like taking a bath in someone's dirty bathwater.)
By being baptised Jesus was placing himself under the law.
His baptism by JohnB (who was also a sinner) signified the "Divine Exchange" that would take place on the cross - all of Jesus' righteousness for all of our sinfulness.
JohnB helps Jesus inaugurate his public ministry and mission in the world. In His baptism the die is cast: Jesus embraces our brokenness and connects to our humanity. From here on we see Jesus touching lepers, calling sinners, healing the broken and freeing the oppressed.
So, how did JohnB experience Him? John the Gospel writer puts it like this in John 1: "The next day John(B) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'"
John continues: "The next day John(B) was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, 'Look, the Lamb of God!'"
Who is Jesus?
What is He like?
JohnB is certain - "He's the One who came to take our brokenness and pain."
"He's the Lamb of God who takes the sin of the world."
Theo Groeneveld is a husband, dad, and sometimes-cyclist. He has served at Emmanuel Presby Faerie Glen Pretoria for 19 years. | 
