Thursday 19 September 2013

Background

There is so much going on in this chapter, with plenty of detailabout John the Baptist's ministry and practice. However, just asJohn realised, the main focus of our own attention must be onJesus. He is the chosen one and John realises that when he says thewords, "I need to be baptized by you …" (v. 14). However importantJohn's role was in preparing the way for Jesus, he is not God'schosen one to save the world and reconcile the world back toGod.

So what does the Baptism of Jesus tell us about his leadership?The first thing to note is that Jesus is no maverick; he isconscious of needing to fulfil the past and he pays it greatrespect. John is the last of the prophets working to the oldcovenant, yet called to usher in the new Messianic age.  Inverse 15, in response to John's feeling of unworthiness, Jesusreplies, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this tofulfil all righteousness." Jesus is unique, but yet stillunderstands his role, in humility, within the context of honouringwhat is good from the past. He is not starting with a cleanslate.

However, the really significant moment is when Jesus surfacesfrom the water after his Baptism. In the form of something like adove, the Spirit of God descends upon Jesus. If there had been anydoubts, either in Jesus' own mind or those closest to him, then theutterance from heaven, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with thim I amwell pleased", ends all discussion! Whatever happened at the RiverJordan that day, those who were there would have been convincedthat Jesus was special and  had been confirmed by God.Moreover, God had called Jesus "my Son". Here is another name toadd to an already impressive list - Son of God.

Christ, Messiah, King, Saviour, Emmanuel and now, Son of God.The mantle of leadership is firmly around his shoulders. Thequestion still remains about what style Jesus will bring as God'schosen leader? How will he exercise his God-given power?

To Ponder

• In your Christian journey, how do you honour the past withoutbeing a slave to all that has gone before?

• What significance do you place on your own Baptism?