Matthew 3:13-15 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan
to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I
need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered
him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all
righteousness." Then he consented.
Jesus, Messiah, Son of God, came to be baptized by John.
John did not expect this. John baptized people after they repented. Jesus did
not need to repent. He had no sin. He had no wrong thinking. He had no reason
to be baptized. He wanted to be baptized because it was the right thing to do.
As a human, he was about to make a big change in his life. Jesus was 30 years
old. He had lived in his parent’s home, worked as a carpenter like his earthly father,
lived a normal life, seemingly like everyone else in Nazareth. Now, at 30 years
old, he was ready to begin his ministry. His first step was to submit himself
to the ritual of baptism.
This is an important step, and act of obedience and an act
of consecration. To this point, Jesus has lived a very human life, although
totally sinless. His life has not been remarkable in any outward way. He worked
as a carpenter, trained by his earthly father.
Now, at the age of 30, he is ready to begin his public ministry, to show
himself as the Messiah. So, he begins that with this act of baptism.
Matthew 3:16-17 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he
went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw
the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold,
a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased."
Unexpectedly, the heavens were opened.
When Mark described this scene, he used a different word
Mark 1:10 “heavens were opened”. The word translated opened
here means split in two, break, divide, tear open. There is an element of violence with that
word.
The same word is used in Mark 15:38 “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from
top to bottom.” The temple curtain was
very thick, made up of many layers with embroidery. When Jesus died, that veil
was ripped, torn apart with energy.
When Jesus was baptized, the heavens were ripped open, a way
was opened up between God and man.
With the heavens opened, the Spirit of God descended. Jesus
was receiving the anointing of the Holy Spirit to begin his ministry. Jesus was
a man, a human being who operated in the full empowerment and equipping of the
Spirit.
With the heavens opened, and the Spirit descended, a voice
came from heaven, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased."
The last voice from heaven recorded was when the angel
announced to the Shepherds, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news
of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in
the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
Since that time, the heavens were silent. Jesus lived in obscurity,
as a child who grew and matured, and as a man who worked with his hands.
Now, once again, the heavens break apart for a special announcement.
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Why was the father
well pleased? Jesus had not done any miracles yet. He had not taught truth with
authority. He had not rebuked the Pharisees. Why was the Father pleased?
I think the Father was pleased because Jesus had lived for
30 years a normal life, the Son of God, living out the divine life that was in
him, but in a quiet, obscure way. He just WAS.
The father was pleased with the person Jesus was.
And, the entire scene was totally unexpected.
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