John the Baptist
reminded people of the ancient prophet Elijah, setting all Jerusalem,
Judea, and Trans Jordan agog, for John proclaimed the imminent
coming of the reign of God! But if people thought that meant
instant liberation from Rome, they were sadly mistaken. God’s
rule would begin with judgment. John warned sinners, particularly
the ruling Pharisees and Sadducees, to repent and produce the
fruit of good works. He offered baptism as a sign of repentance.
John predicted a mightier one to come who would be even more
severe, for John baptized only with water, but the Coming One
would baptize with fire!
Alone, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, a region tainted
by contact with Gentiles. Jesus came, not to stand with John
to judge the people, but to be baptized by him! Answering John’s
objection, Jesus insisted that this would fulfill all righteousness.
Jesus must obey God’s voice through John the prophet,
and he must demonstrate his oneness with people under judgment.
So John baptized Jesus.
As Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened.
Ancient Israel had longed for God to open heaven for them; they
urged God to rend the heavens and come down in power to save
them. But when heaven opened for Jesus, God’s Spirit descended
like a dove, a universal symbol of harmlessness and peace. God
spoke: “This is my son, the beloved, with whom I am well
pleased.”
Affirmed as having come not to judge but to serve, Jesus overcame
temptation by complete trust in God and began the ministry that
opened a new era in God’s plan for human destiny.
—Rev. Arch B. Taylor, Jr., retired Japan missionary |
