Baptism into Brokenness
| At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Mark1:9-11) |
The other gospels tell us that John the Baptist was resistant about doing this believing that Jesus should baptise him. Jesus indicates to John that this should be done "to fulfill all righteousness."
Let's think this all through:
- John's baptism was not Christian baptism. Paul makes this clear to some folk in Ephesus who thought that John's baptism was sufficient. (Acts 19:3-4)
- John's baptism was for repentance. Did Jesus have to repent of anything? Is He not the sinless Son of God?
- God speaks from heaven. (One of three times in Jesus' ministry) The other two times are at the Transfiguration and in Holy Week where Jesus is explicitly heading to the cross in obedience to the Father's will. So, if God is speaking here, it is clear that Jesus is doing something significant and not just setting a good example.
- Jesus equates His baptism to the cup He must drink. In Mark 10:38 Jesus asks "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
From all these clues it is clear that Jesus' baptism is significant.
In His baptism Jesus is beginning His public ministry by identifying with sinful humanity.
Through a baptism meant for repentance the Sinless Son of God is connecting Himself to our sinfulness.
I like to use the analogy of climbing into someone's dirty bathwater.
Jesus is "taking on our dirt."
What an incredible moment! In this moment Jesus is Son of God and Son of Man, connected to and identified with our sin. Now He can take us and our sin to the cross. What incredible love! No wonder the Father loves Him and is well-pleased with Him.
Take a moment to contemplate this AMAZING love and give THANKS!
