I work in a highly regulated environment. I know that people in many fields are facing the same problem. It can be frustrating and seem senseless. We rarely understand the reasoning behind some of the rules to which we are required to adhere. Does lack of understanding the reasoning behind something mean that the rules are unnecessary or unreasonable? Is my understanding the litmus test for the validity of anything? Can I trust in something or someone beyond myself?
Matthew 3:13-17 (CSB)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.14 But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”
15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.
16 When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”
John 1:29-34 (CSB)
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ 31 I didn’t know him, but I came baptizing with water so he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him. 33 I didn’t know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on—he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
John baptized for repentance. He called people to confess their sins and be baptized. He warned of a time to come when the good would be separated from the bad. This is the picture of winnowing which is the separation of the usable wheat kernel from the chaff that covers the grain. He warns about the bad trees coming to an end. He admits that he is the herald. The One coming is the main attraction.
Jesus comes to John to be baptized. John initially refuses, but baptizes Jesus when requested. The gospel of Matthew says this is to fulfill all righteousness. This leaves us a little confused. Why? Jesus was sinless, why did He need a baptism of repentance? Was He confessing the sins of the nation? Was he identifying with sinners? I have seen all these put forth a possible answers. I do not know the answer.
I have observed, however, that this is the event that reveals the truth about Jesus. This event was prophesied and is part of the message of John the Baptist. We see this as His inaugural event. He is declared the Messiah. How was He declared? He is declared by a voice from heaven. This voice is the voice of God. It declares Jesus as the Son of God. The other event is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit descends on Jesus and remains. Jesus public ministry begins here when He is believed to be 30 years old.
What can we take away?
- This is the Trinity present at once: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- We don’t always understand why certain things must take place, but we can trust God. He knows what must be done and why. Faith dictates that we trust Him even though we will never understand all aspects.
- Jesus waited until the right time, and walked through the proper events. We must also be patient and walk the path God has set forth.