“Then John gave his testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.’” – John 1:32
All the gospel accounts; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell the same story of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. “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. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased,’” (Matt. 3:16-17). This moment is likely the most powerful revelation of all three members of the Trinity that has ever been seen by human eyes. Jesus, the Son, being baptized. He had nothing to repent for, but He was baptized to fully empathize with man and show the way of public repentance and declaration of faith. The Holy Spirit, anointing the Son by “alighting on him,” or “remaining on him,” blessing the coming ministry and work of the Savior (John 1:32, Matt. 3:16). The Father, affirming the identity of Jesus as His Son, and declaring that their relationship is characterized by love and the Son’s desire to please the Father.
Consider that John the Baptist was fully aware that Jesus was the Messiah he had been waiting for and he bore witness to this event. Consider that John had followers to the extent that “the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was,” (John 1:19). The book of Mark tells that “the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him…” to confess their sins and be baptized (Mark 1:5). The people knew who John the Baptist was and they came to him (John 3:23, 26; Mark 1:5). Whether Jesus’s baptism was witnessed by John the Baptist alone, or a large crowd of onlookers, the moment is beyond description. To have witnessed this event must have been the most jaw dropping, eye opening, reality shaking experience imaginable.
Now let us remember that we believe the Bible is the inspired word of God—every word being the truth. This means we can stand in wonder and do our best to imagine what this event could have been like in person. And when we do so, how might our perspective be brought back into proper alignment? If we contemplate this moment in truth, we cannot possibly proceed to be distracted by the trivial trials of life, to grumble about the weather, or to wallow in irritation over whatever is inconveniencing us at the moment. How can we possibly proceed willfully and flippantly participating in sin? How can we possibly let this scene pass in one ear and out the other? No, we did not witness the Heavens crack open and the Trinity culminate before our very eyes, but God does not give us a shortage of things to marvel over and compel us to see Him. And when we do see Him, what is our response? Falling on our face in humility and awe? Rejoicing over knowing our Savior? Submitting our hearts and lives to His leading? Or do we continue in our self-indulgence, self-pity, and self-centeredness? Picturing the baptism of Jesus, as it is described in the gospels, should be yet another scene in our mind of the glory of God. Our Savior has come for us, let us rejoice!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us. Thank you for coming to save us and make us new. Help us to be in awe over Your baptism and let it be something that draws us nearer to You.
Susanville Christian Fellowship 