GOSPEL READING:
Matthew 3:13-1713 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; 17 and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Meditation: Why did Jesus, the Sinless One, submit himself
to John's baptism at the River Jordan? John preached a baptism of
repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3). In this
humble submission of Jesus we see a foreshadowing of the "baptism"
of his bloody death upon the cross. Jesus' baptism is the
acceptance and the beginning of his mission as God's suffering
Servant (Isaiah 42:1-4). He allowed
himself to be numbered among sinners. Jesus submitted himself
entirely to
his Father's will. Out of love he consented to this baptism of
death for
the remission of our sins. Do you know the joy of trust and
submission to
God?
Jesus' baptism - beginning of a new creation
The Father proclaimed his entire delight in his Son and spoke
audibly for all to hear. The Holy Spirit, too, was present as he
anointed Jesus for his ministry which began that day as he rose from
the waters of the Jordan river. Jesus will be the source of the
Spirit for all who come to believe in him. At his baptism the
heavens were opened and the waters were sanctified by the descent of
Jesus and the Holy Spirit, signifying the beginning of a new
creation.
Heaven will open for those who bow before the Lord
How can we enter into the mystery of Jesus' humble self-abasement
and baptism? Gregory of Nazianzus (329-389 AD), an early church
father tells us:
"Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him."
Do you want to see your life transformed in the likeness of
Christ? And do you want to become a more effective instrument of
the Gospel? Examine Jesus' humility and ask the Holy Spirit to
forge this same attitude in your heart. As you do, heaven will
open for you as well.
The Holy Spirit transforms us in the likeness of Jesus
The Lord Jesus is ever ready to renew and refashion us in his
likeness through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit - and he
anoints us for mission as ambassadors of his kingdom of
righteousness (moral goodness), peace, and joy (Romans 14:17). We
are called to be the "light" and salt" of his kingdom that radiate
the beauty and aroma of his mercy and goodness to those around us
(Matthew 5:13,15-16). The Lord Jesus wants his love and truth to
shine through us that many others may may find new life, freedom,
and joy in the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord Jesus to fill you with
his Holy Spirit that you may radiate the joy of the Gospel to
those around you.
Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and with the fire of your love and goodness. May I always find joy and delight in seeking to please you in doing your will just as you have delighted in the joy of pleasing your Father and doing his will.
Psalm 29:1-3, 9-10
1 Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of God, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy attire.
3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, upon many waters.
9The voice of the LORD makes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forests bare; and in his temple all cry, "Glory!"
10The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king for ever.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Jesus came to be baptized by John, by Chromatius (died 406 AD)
"John's baptism was looking toward repentance.
Its purpose was to bring hearers to the point of experiencing
conviction for their offenses. John, however, did not want anyone
to draw the conclusion that Jesus himself also came to the Jordan
to repent of his sins. So he sets this point straight from the
outset by calling him both Lamb and Redeemer of all the sin that
is in the world. He who is able to take away the sins of the whole
world was himself without sin.
"Jesus therefore descended to fulfill all the
observances of the law, and in this context he was baptized by
John in Galilee at the Jordan. But John, recognizing the Lord as
his God through the Holy Spirit, declared that he was unworthy to
bear his sandals. He excused himself from doing what he was
directed to do, because he could not conceive that baptism was
necessary for the One whom he knew had come to blot out the sins
of the world. He rather pleaded that he himself ought to be
baptized by Christ, saying, 'It is I who should be baptized by
you, and do you come to me?' It is as if he were saying, 'I am a
man. You are God. I am a sinner because I am a man. You are
sinless because you are God. Why do you want to be baptized by me?
I do not refuse the respect you pay me, but I am ignorant of the
mystery. I baptize sinners in repentance. But you have no taint of
sin. So why do you want to be baptized? Why do you want to be
baptized as a sinner, who came to forgive sins?' This is what John
in effect was saying to the Lord." (excerpt from
TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 12:1)
[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and
bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John
Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as
a "most learned and most holy man."]
