Post by foxjj on Aug 3, 2020 16:34:49 GMT
Jesus Submits To John’s Baptism
Prior to the baptism of Jesus, John the Baptist began his ministry declaring that he came as a herald in order to prepare the way for the one who was to come, implying Messiah: “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”(Matthew 3:11)
When John was baptizing people at Bethany by the Jordan, the scripture records: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”(John 1:29-31 )
When people came to John seeking baptism, they would confess their sinfulness. However, when Jesus came seeking John's baptism, He did not do so by confessing sin because He was without sin, been both the Son of God, and The Lamb of God. That John had an understanding of Jesus’s Messianic ministry is evident when he said to Jesus: ”I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” The reply of Jesus is relevant to the meaning of His baptism: “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matthew 3:14-15)
When a child, the parents of Jesus took Him to the Temple to be circumcised according to the Law of Moses thereby, Jesus was recognized as a member of the Jewish Covenant. By submitting to John’s baptism, Jesus was identifying himself with humanity, while also been sanctified for His mission. His sacrifice on Calvary at the conclusion of that mission, would sanctify all who turn to Him in repentance: “For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:19)
As Jesus came up out of the water, our Heavenly Father showed His approval, recognizing the servant attitude of The Son as recorded in Mark 1:11: “And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." The purpose of Jesus coming from Heaven, was to redeem humanity from the power of sin by taking our sin upon himself when He died on the cross. This act of sacrifice showed God's love for fallen humanity. Consequently, whoever believes that Jesus has died in their place will not be condemned as we read in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Praise be to His Holy Name.
Today, let us praise Jesus for His Sacrifice.
John Joseph Fox.
Prior to the baptism of Jesus, John the Baptist began his ministry declaring that he came as a herald in order to prepare the way for the one who was to come, implying Messiah: “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”(Matthew 3:11)
When John was baptizing people at Bethany by the Jordan, the scripture records: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”(John 1:29-31 )
When people came to John seeking baptism, they would confess their sinfulness. However, when Jesus came seeking John's baptism, He did not do so by confessing sin because He was without sin, been both the Son of God, and The Lamb of God. That John had an understanding of Jesus’s Messianic ministry is evident when he said to Jesus: ”I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” The reply of Jesus is relevant to the meaning of His baptism: “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matthew 3:14-15)
When a child, the parents of Jesus took Him to the Temple to be circumcised according to the Law of Moses thereby, Jesus was recognized as a member of the Jewish Covenant. By submitting to John’s baptism, Jesus was identifying himself with humanity, while also been sanctified for His mission. His sacrifice on Calvary at the conclusion of that mission, would sanctify all who turn to Him in repentance: “For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:19)
As Jesus came up out of the water, our Heavenly Father showed His approval, recognizing the servant attitude of The Son as recorded in Mark 1:11: “And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." The purpose of Jesus coming from Heaven, was to redeem humanity from the power of sin by taking our sin upon himself when He died on the cross. This act of sacrifice showed God's love for fallen humanity. Consequently, whoever believes that Jesus has died in their place will not be condemned as we read in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Praise be to His Holy Name.
Today, let us praise Jesus for His Sacrifice.
John Joseph Fox.