Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:13 to 4:11
The beginning of Christ’s ministry was marked by two important events — His baptism and His temptation. These were thirty silent years, without any manifestation of Divine power save the beautiful, sinless life which Jesus lived. We must think of those years, however, as part of the Incarnation. The Divine character was revealed not only in miracles and heavenly teachings, but in sweet, beautiful living.
John said that he was not worthy to unloose the shoes of the Coming One. Now when he recognizes this glorious One waiting before him to be baptized, he shrinks from the performance of the rite. He would have refused. “I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?” But Jesus insisted on receiving baptism from John. “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” The words are full of meaning. The even was of great importance in the life of Jesus.
For one thing, it was the identifying of Himself with humanity. He stood for us men and our redemption. He had no sin, but His people were sinful and He died for them. It was also the acceptance by Jesus of His Messianic work. The years of preparation were ended, and the time had come for Him to begin His public ministry. The call came, bidding Him turn away from His quiet life and manifest Himself to His people. We can think of Him shutting up the carpenter’s shop and leaving it forever. Then He stood before the Baptist at the Jordan and was baptized. He had a glimpse that hour of all that lay before Him in His Messianic ministry. The shadow of the cross fell upon the green banks and on the flowing water, fell also upon the gentle and lowly soul of Jesus as He stood there. He knew for what He was being baptized — the mission of redemption. We do not know to what we are devoting ourselves, what our consecration may mean, when we stand up and give ourselves to God. In a certain sense we go forth in the dark. Yet we may trust God with the guidance of our lives and should devote ourselves to the will of God without question or condition.
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