Day 19. The Baptism of Jesus
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"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan." Mark 1:9
One meaning of Christ's baptism was that it was His consecration to His public ministry. For thirty years He had dwelt in the quiet home at Nazareth, doing no miracle, wearing no halo, manifesting no divine glory. But He had been sent into this world on a definite mission, and now the time had come for Him to enter upon the work of that mission.
So, obeying the heavenly bidding, He left His home and came to the Jordan to be baptised, and thus consecrated to the ministry of redemption. He knew what was involved in His work. From the edge of the Jordan He saw through to the end. The shadow of the cross fell on the green banks and on the flowing river, fell also across the gentle and holy soul of Jesus as He stood there. He knew what that baptism meant, to what it introduced Him, what its end would be. Yet, knowing all, He voluntarily came to be baptised, thus accepting the mission of redemption.
It was a solemn hour to Jesus when He stood before John waiting for the ordinance that would set Him apart to His work. It was a literal laying of Himself on the altar, not for serviceonly — but for death. It is always a solemn hour when any one stands before God and men to make a public confession of Christ and to enter His service. The act is nothing less than the consecration of a human soul to a service for life or for death.
On the seal of an old missionary society, an ox stands between an altar and a plough, and below is the motto, "Ready for either" — ready for service or for sacrifice. This should be the heart legend in every public confession; it should be a solemn devotement to Christ — an entire surrender to Him for obedience, duty, sacrifice; a consecration of the whole life to Christ and His service. Such consecration all have made, who have publicly given themselves to Christ.
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