Today’s Tasting: These books in the bible are part of the Synoptic Gospels. They are called this because many of them share the same stories, in the same sequence and some with very similar verbiage.
Matthew 3, Mark 1 and Luke 3 all tell stories of Jesus’ Baptism and ministry. John the Baptist lived in the wilderness of Judea and performed baptisms in the Jordan River. People came to him from Jerusalem and the whole region of Jordan to confess their sins and be baptized. One of these people was Jesus Christ.
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 alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” [Matthew 3: 16-17 NIV]
Jesus leaves the Jordan River and begins his ministry. He calls His first disciples [Mark 1:19-20], He cleanses a possessed man’s spirit [Mark 1:21-28], He heals the sick [Mark 1:29-34, 40-45], He visits synagogues to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Today’s Nourishment: The story of Jesus’ baptism always amazes me. Jesus our Savior, a perfect man, is leading us, as always, by perfect example.
13 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.
Baptisms were a common event among the Jews. Scripture speaks of three baptisms:
- Baptism into Christ
- Baptism by the Holy Spirit
- Baptism by emersion
Baptism into Christ is the admission of sin and the adoption of Christ’s Grace into our life. Baptism in the Holy Spirit prepares one for ministry. Notice the scripture immediately following Jesus’ baptism in water and how the Spirit descended like a dove and rested or remained on Jesus. Until this day, when the Spirit rested upon a person, He didn’t remain. The Spirit rested on Jesus and remained. Immediately following His baptism, “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Luke 4:1). “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness” (Matthew 4:1).
Why, then, would Jesus, the living Christ, need to be baptized by emersion?
- He serves and leads by example
- His baptism was an indorsement of John’s ministry of baptism
- He wanted to identify with those that were repenting
- It was part of His plan here on earth
- The Spirit baptized and rested to remain on Jesus for ministry
These chapters tell of Jesus’ ministry – what inspiring stories of Jesus’ power over our earthly bodies and sin! He humbly presented Himself to each person He came in contact with and changed their lives completely!
How has baptism empowered your life to live like Jesus? Share with us:
Humbly,
Vanessa Long
Salt Lake City, UT
It’s empowerment and I love that The Spirit speaks, leads, convicts, and covers us to live life.