The Baptism of Christ

Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:1-17

John’s message was as simple and unpretentious as his clothing and diet. Taking his marching orders from the words of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23), he fearlessly announced the demand for repentance. Three different classes of men presented themselves for baptism.

There was a vast crowd. Great numbers flocked to him from the city of Jerusalem, the province of Judaea and the neighborhood of the Jordan. Among the crowd were many publicans and harlots who believed the Baptist’s preaching (Matthew 21:32). They came in genuine repentance, and their baptism was accompanied by the confession of their sins.

There was a sizeable group, comprising the Pharisees and Sadducees. This company included many hypocrites who took refuge in their national privileges and who saw no need of personal repentance. John had some severe and unsparing things to say to them.

There was a solitary individual. “Then Jesus came.” Unlike the crowd, He showed no signs of repentance. He made no confession because there were no actions He needed to regret, no words He needed to withdraw, no thoughts of which He needed to be ashamed. Small wonder John hesitated to baptize Him. Nevertheless it was right that Christ should identify Himself with His people.

The Spirit descended and abode on Him. As the meat offering baked in a pan was mingled with oil (Leviticus 2:5), so the human nature of Christ had its being and character from the Holy Spirit (Matthew1:18, 20), of which oil is the known symbol. As oil was subsequently poured on the offering (Leviticus 2:6), so the Lord was now anointed with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38).

With words that echoed two Messianic prophecies (Psalm. 2:7; Isaiah 42:1), God testified that He was well pleased in His beloved Son. Identical words were to be heard later on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5). On the second occasion, the Father was to declare His satisfaction with the public ministry of the Savior; at the Jordan, He declared His satisfaction with the years of privacy and seclusion at Nazareth. Blessed Lord; in public or private, ever perfect!

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
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