Read: Matthew 3:13-17
Key Text: And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
Reflection: In early 2010 I had the privilege of enjoying a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, including spending five days in Jerusalem. For me this was the highlight of the trip. On the southern steps of the Temple mount we scrambled over the rough hewn stone that dates right back to the 1st century. Dotted amongst the steps was the remnant of the ritual baths where pilgrims would wash themselves before entering the temple precinct. The outward washing represented the desire for inner cleansing. On top of the Temple Mount, which is now a Muslim controlled site, taps were everywhere available for pilgrims to prepare for worship in the Al-Aqsa mosque. Whether it is Hinduism, Islam, Judaism or Christianity – ritual washing plays a central role, speaking of a latent desire in all of us to wash away the stain of our sin.
Matthew makes very clear that the baptism of Jesus is not one of repentance. Jesus has not sinned and so does not need to confess, repent and be cleansed. The Baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of his public ministry. The baptism makes public the Father’s approval of Jesus and the Spirit’s empowerment of his ministry. Jesus will not minister in his own strength, but out of the deep communion he enjoys as part of the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will lead and empower him and his close walk with the Father will sustain him. The opening of the heavens and the subsequent descending of the Spirit of God on Jesus reminds us that in his life, death and resurrection – the distance between heaven and earth became gossamer thin.
Question: When and how have you experienced God’s Spirit descending on you?
Read: A short account of the Creation parallels in the Baptism of Jesus from a site I refer to often: http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1598
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