My translation says that John the Baptist "did not fail to confess" (v20). What an understatement, right? This reminds me of 1 Peter 3:15: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have".
JTB was faithful to the call from "the one who sent" him (v33). He testified for Jesus (v15, v34). He shared his testimony with the priests and Levites who were sent to question him (v19). His testimony was simple: he called people to repent and seek forgiveness for their sins (Luke 3:3) and he pointed them to Jesus (v15, v23, v26, v29, v30) who would change them forever through baptism in the Holy Spirit (v33-34). This sounds a lot like Christian ministry. John's ministry was truly blessed. In fact, I think that the fact that Jesus went to John for baptism (Mt 3:13) was, in part, a blessing to John and a recognition of his ministry.
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My notes say that the baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God's suffering Servant. He allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." Already he is anticipating the "baptism" of his bloody death. Already he is coming to "fulfill all righteousness", that is he is submitting himself entirely to his Father's will: out of love he consents to this baptism of death for the remission of sins. The Father's voice responds to the son's acceptance, proclaiming his entire delight in his Son. The Spirit whom Jesus possessed in fullness from his conception comes to "rest on him." Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all mankind. At his baptism "the heavens were opened" - the heavens that Adam's sin had closed - and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Spirit, a prelude to the new creation.
ReplyDeleteWhew!
Mom
At his baptism "the heavens were opened" - that is a neat insight.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have not thought about the truth that we are "fulfilling righteousness" when we submit to God's will for us.