JY 30
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January 30
Matthew 3:13-17. The baptism of Jesus.
One of the most wonderful events ever transacted on this earth is recorded in this passage.
We behold the Son of God in great humility coming to be baptized by John, as though he had been a sinner—and we behold the Everlasting Father and the Spirit, honouring him with unspeakable honour. Well might John be surprised to see the Son of God apply to him for baptism! He objected to baptizing one so much greater than himself, saying, "I have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" It appears, therefore, that John knew who he was; yet we read in John's gospel (John 1:33) that he knew him not; God therefore must have made John know him at the time of the baptism. It may appear strange that John would not have known him, as Elizabeth, his mother, was the cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus; but then we must remember that they had been brought up in distant parts of the land. God had wise reasons for not permitting them to be known to each other until this time. If John had known Jesus before as a relative, it might then have been supposed that he had been deceived by Jesus—but since that he had never seen him, no deception could be suspected.
How full of reverence and humility were John's words—"I have need to be baptized by you,"—baptized, not with water, (for Jesus baptized none in this manner,) but with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The angel had declared that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth; still John felt his need of the Saviour's baptism. Does not this teach us that we all need this baptism continually? Though we have been baptized with water, though we have even undergone a change of heart, yet still we need fresh supplies of the Holy Spirit. If we feel our need, we shall come often to Jesus, that he may baptize us. Blessed Jesus, we have need to be baptized by you!
What was the Saviour's reason for coming to be baptized? He condescends to explain it—"Thus, it is necessary for us to fulfil all righteousness." It was necessary that Jesus, when he was a man, should be baptized, for he came to do all God's commands, that by his obedience many might be made righteous. Whom did our Saviour mean by us, when he said, "It becomes us to fulfil all righteousness?" Himself and John. It was necessary that John should do the will of God, and baptize him whose shoes he was not worthy to untie. True Christians feel their unworthiness to do anything for their Master, but this feeling ought not to hinder them from doing God's work; for they would not be fit to do it, unless they felt their exceeding sinfulness.
Immediately after the baptism, the Saviour came out of the water. We find in Luke's gospel, what he was doing as he came out; he was praying! When sinners were baptized, they confessed their sins; but he had no sins to confess.
After he had humbled himself by being baptized, his Father exalted him by sending the Holy Spirit down upon him, and by declaring, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
What must John the Baptist have felt when he beheld this scene! Here were no terrors like those on Mount Sinai; here were no thunders nor lightning's; no blackness, and darkness, and tempest—all was light, and peace, and love. It is wonderful to think, that a mortal man would have been permitted to witness such a display of the divine glory. But as John was appointed to direct men to the Saviour, it was right that he should receive the strongest proof of his being the Son of God. And could he have received stronger proof than he did receive on the banks of Jordan? Impossible.
What exceeding love is expressed in the words, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!" This declaration must have comforted the heart of the man of sorrows—though the world hated him, he knew the Father loved him. Would it comfort us to think the Father loved us, and was well pleased with us? If we believe in Jesus—he does love us, and is well pleased with us for his sake! All believers are "accepted in the beloved!" What sweet words are those! They have sustained the people of God in a dying hour. How could any man bear the thought of entering God's presence, were it not for the assurance that the Father will receive him in the name of his own beloved Son!