JOHN THE BAPTIST BEGINS HIS MINISTRY - Jesus' Baptism

You probably wonder why I start each of my BLOGS with a Children's Song - well I guess it's because they are so easy to listen to, and the message can't get any simpler - "JESUS LOVES ME".  

Well, I am finishing with my BAPTISM series, with Jesus' Baptism. John the Baptist was already filled with the Holy Spirit, and he knew that soon Jesus would come seeking HIS BAPTISM. John knew that Jesus didn't need to be baptized. He had no sins "to be washed away". John felt they he needed to be baptized by Jesus, for He was the Son of God, the Messiah. 

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." John 1:29 (NIV)

JESUS' BAPTISM

Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk Him out of it: "I am the one who needs to be baptized by you", he said, "so why are you coming to me?" But Jesus said: "It should be done, for we must carry out all God requires." So John agreed to BAPTIZE HIM." Matthew 3:13-15  (NLT

Jesus subitted Himself to John's baptism, as a "symbol of immersion". He knew that it was His Father's will and he would be obedient to the "the ritual cleansing" , which "announced His ministry."

"Jesus enteed the waters of the Jordan River to be immersed. A host of Jesus' disciples and other witnesses were looking on and welcoming the affirmation of His Father's blessing. The SPIRIT OF GOD appeared like a DOVE ascending on Jesus with his booming voice: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." 

                                                                         Charles Swindoll

"After HIS BAPTISM, Jesus came up out of the water, the Heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God DESCENDING LIKE A DOVE and settling on Him. And a voice from Heaven said: "This is my DEARLY LOVED SON who brings me GREAT JOY."                                                                                             Matthew 3:16&17 (NLT)

"As He was PRAYING the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on Him like a dove." Luke 3:21b & 22a (NLT)

The DOVE is a symbol of PEACE. Only Luke speaks of JESUS PRAYING, but we know that this was a witness to others, and the "revelation from Heaven", that he was GOD'S SON and very loved. We too need to spend each day in PRAYER, reminding ourselves that we are filled with PEACE from the SPIRIT. 

God's voice from Heaven, also reminds us that as His children too, we are LOVED. Te Apostle Paul reminds us:

"For His Spirit joins with our Spirit, that we are GOD'S CHILDREN." Romans 8:16 (NLT)

"And this hope will not lead us to disappointment, for we know how dearly GOD LOVES US, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with HIS LOVE."                                                                                                   Romans 5:5 (NLT

 

"The Holy Bible - New International Version," 2011, Biblica

"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation," (2015), Tyndale House Publishers

"Baptism of Jesus - Inspiring Kids Bible Songs", 2024, Giggle & Grace Bible Adventures, You Tube

"SWINDOLL, Charles, "So You Want to Be Like Christ - 8 Essentials to Getting You There", 2005, W Publishing  (Thomas Nelson)