The time of Jesus' baptism was the time of divine revelations where the identity of Jesus was revealed.
The statement that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee is to be specially noticed. The Jews generally believed that a prophet will not emerge from Galilee. They believed that the Messiah will be coming from Bethlehem. (John 7:40-52).
The question of whether something good will come out of Nazareth was only a common expression of the Jewish attitude. (John 1:46). Jesus was not fit to be considered the Messiah according to the criteria of the world.
The opening of the sky denoted something above to the mundane and terrestrial thing. (Eze. 1:1; Acts 7:56; 10:11; Rev4:1;19:11).
The Spirit descending on Jesus is the literal manifestation of the prophecy of the Messiah being empowered by the Spirit of God. (Isaiah11:2; 42:1; 61:1).
In the Old Testament, we read the Spirit descending on certain individuals for some particular tasks. But the words used here indicates that the Spirit comes upon Jesus not temporarily but for a permanent indwelling. In the rabbinical literature, the dove has got some special significance.
The dove which came with the fresh leaf in its mouth was the heralding of a new beginning. (Gen. 8:11) The voice from heaven addressing Jesus as the beloved son from heaven is reckoned as the most valid pronouncement of the identity of Jesus. That statement was an admixture of Isaiah 42:1-4 and Psalm 2.
The anointed son is the king as well as the suffering servant. He is the beloved son like Issac, to be sacrificed on the altar, spotless and blemishless.
There are various opinions about the logic of Jesus receiving baptism from the baptiser. As John proclaimed the baptism of repentance, Jesus was not in need of that.
On the other hand, John's movement was to guide people towards God. What Jesus did by receiving baptism was identifying with that movement. As far as Jesus is concerned, he was receiving the divine endorsement by the baptism.
According to John, it was a time of revealing the Messiah (John 1:33). Any person questioning the existing social pattern and structure is in need of God's special anointing.
To Jesus, it was the internal strength for following the path of the cross.
To the followers of Christ, it could be seen as a precursor to the suffering Jesus had to undergo and the cup he had to drink on the cross.
Pray for all devotees of Jesus who try to identify with the baptism on the cross and drink the cup of his suffering.
Is something good will come?
The statement that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee is to be specially noticed. The Jews generally believed that a prophet will not emerge from Galilee. They believed that the Messiah will be coming from Bethlehem. (John 7:40-52).
The question of whether something good will come out of Nazareth was only a common expression of the Jewish attitude. (John 1:46). Jesus was not fit to be considered the Messiah according to the criteria of the world.
The opened heaven
Three major things happened at the time of Jesus' baptism. The heavens were opened, the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove, and the heavenly voice was heard stating Jesus as the beloved son.The opening of the sky denoted something above to the mundane and terrestrial thing. (Eze. 1:1; Acts 7:56; 10:11; Rev4:1;19:11).
The Spirit descending on Jesus is the literal manifestation of the prophecy of the Messiah being empowered by the Spirit of God. (Isaiah11:2; 42:1; 61:1).
In the Old Testament, we read the Spirit descending on certain individuals for some particular tasks. But the words used here indicates that the Spirit comes upon Jesus not temporarily but for a permanent indwelling. In the rabbinical literature, the dove has got some special significance.
The dove which came with the fresh leaf in its mouth was the heralding of a new beginning. (Gen. 8:11) The voice from heaven addressing Jesus as the beloved son from heaven is reckoned as the most valid pronouncement of the identity of Jesus. That statement was an admixture of Isaiah 42:1-4 and Psalm 2.
The anointed son is the king as well as the suffering servant. He is the beloved son like Issac, to be sacrificed on the altar, spotless and blemishless.
The divine endorsement
There are various opinions about the logic of Jesus receiving baptism from the baptiser. As John proclaimed the baptism of repentance, Jesus was not in need of that.
On the other hand, John's movement was to guide people towards God. What Jesus did by receiving baptism was identifying with that movement. As far as Jesus is concerned, he was receiving the divine endorsement by the baptism.
According to John, it was a time of revealing the Messiah (John 1:33). Any person questioning the existing social pattern and structure is in need of God's special anointing.
To Jesus, it was the internal strength for following the path of the cross.
To the followers of Christ, it could be seen as a precursor to the suffering Jesus had to undergo and the cup he had to drink on the cross.
Point to ponder:
How do we understand the events in Jesus life in the context of his entire ministry?Prayer:
Pray for all devotees of Jesus who try to identify with the baptism on the cross and drink the cup of his suffering.
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