“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
-Mattthew 3:47
The readings from the prophet Isaiah prophesied the coming of one who would bring justice to the nations – One whom God will make as a covenant to His people, and as a light to the nations; To open eyes that do not see, to free captives from prison, to bring out to light those who sit in darkness.
In the second reading from the book of Acts, we see Peter proclaiming the fulfilment of prophet Isaiah’s prophesies in Jesus Christ, who has come to bring the good news to all nations and how God anointed Jesus the Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.
The Gospel reading tells us of the Baptism of the Lord by John the Baptist and the events that took place along the river Jordan.
The baptism of Jesus is an important event of His life. It marks the beginning of his mission and public ministry.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN THE BAPTISM BY JOHN AND THE ONE JESUS INSTITUTED?
John contrasts the baptism that he performs with the baptism that Jesus will inaugurate. John the Baptist says that he has baptised with water, but that someone will come and baptise with the Holy Spirit. (Matt 3:15-16).
DOES JESUS, WHO IS WITHOUT SIN, NEED BAPTISM BY JOHN THE BAPTIST?
Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, does not need baptism.
The type of baptism that John performed was not yet a Christian Baptism; it was a preparation for Christian Baptism through which sins are forgiven and the gift of the Holy Spirit is received.
In humility, He allows Himself to be numbered among sinners. At His baptism, the heavens were opened – the heavens that Adam’s sin had closed.
The effects of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist are manifold:
Jesus is consecrated and commissioned by the Father, empowered and anointed by the Spirit who descends on Him in the form of a dove. His divinity is also affirmed by God the Father Himself. Jesus is fully human and fully divine.
The Saviour came to be baptized. He, the second Adam, renewed our corrupted nature by the waters of baptism, and he clothed us with a garment which can never perish.
Christ is baptised and the whole world is made holy; He wipes out the debt of our sins; we shall all be purified by water and the Holy Spirit.
The baptism of Jesus calls to mind our own baptism. Like Jesus, we too at baptism are consecrated and commissioned; we too are anointed and empowered by the Spirit; we too become adopted children of God.
To each of us, God says: “You are my Child, my chosen one, my favour rests on you.”
Jesus Christ has made us a kingdom and priesthood for God and his Father.
In His Service,
Terry Yee