Baptism
By Gayle Hoone
Ever wonder why Jesus said what HE said….
regarding HIS baptism…
“But Jesus replied to him, Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for both of us to fulfill all righteousness that is, to perform completely whatever is right.” Matthew 3.15 [Matthew 3.13-17; Mark 1.9-11; John 1.29-36]
some ideas…
& Jesus was born a Jew under the Law therefore HE had to fulfill the Law Galatians 4.4
& baptism identified Jesus as The Priest of Israel Leviticus 8.6
& the Law required ceremonial washing of priests Numbers 19 (note: red heifer is Jesus) [Ephesians 5.26; Titus 3.5]
& John was the messenger of God thus requiring him to perform Jesus’ ceremonial washing Isaiah 40.3
& baptism linked circumcision, the outward sign of an inward seal, symbolizing fulfillment of God’s Old Testament Covenant Promise [Genesis 17.9-12]Colossians 2.12 & 1 Peter 3.21
& baptism depicts Jesus identifying with repenting (changing minds and behaviors turning and running to God)sinners Romans 6.3-8
& baptism symbolizes anticipating Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection Isaiah 53.8-9
& The Jew’s of the day believed that Heaven would open, God’s voice would be heard declaring the Messiah, and God would bestow The Holy Spirit upon The Messiah Psalms 2.7
& baptism prepared Jesus with The Holy Spirit for the forty days of desert where HE was tempted, tried, and tested by the devil (satan) Luke 4.1-13 [Matthew 3.16-4.11]
& baptism and the forty days in the desert depicts Jesus’ humble obedience as The Suffering Servant Isaiah 42.1
did you know…
& that Jesus traveled by foot over 100 miles from Galilee in the north to Jordan in the south to be baptized? This teaches me to keep on keeping on, to be willing to go the distance…
What do you think?
