01112023 – Matthew 3. 13-17
The four Evangelists’ accounts of the Baptism of Jesus are found in Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:32-34, and each of “their stories” go “pretty much” like the passage according to Matthew.
Well, kind of…
It is important to note that all four gospels share their own story.
As you might imagine, there is going to be “some variation.”
Keep in mind, that Mark is “the first” to be formally written down, then Matthew, then Luke, and lastly, the gospel of John.
Each will offer us – their own individual “take.”
Each writing for “their own specific purposes.”
But this is from MATTHEW – our Gospel for the first year of our three-year lectionary. (Series A)
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
What NONE of the FOUR gospel accounts TELL US – (of course,) is that for Jesus to leave home in Nazareth, and for him to physically go to where John WAS baptizing in the wilderness area, meant a trek of some 60 – 70 miles…obviously, on foot.
He had to walk there!
In the heat of the day!
And as far as we know, he was alone unless he “hooked up” with others along the way.
It would not have been through some of the “safest of terrains and areas.” (Wilderness areas NEVER ARE…)
And of course, we are to be reminded of the Jews crossing the river to enter into the PROMISED LAND.
Jesus’ action HERE unites him with all Jews of all times and places.
The writers also do not tell us that Jesus has left home and family, for pretty much a final time.
He leaves his mother behind for this desert trek.
He leaves Nazareth behind.
He leaves friends and family behind.
He cuts ties and business associates.
He is no longer the carpenter, the stone mason, the day laborer, or the guy who worked with his hands.
For all intents and purposes, he is “as anonymous” as everybody else.
Just another Jewish man…seeking something…
And then, FINALLY when his journey is completed…when he arrives at WHERE the baptizer is…
John tries to PREVENT HIM, saying, ‘I NEED to be baptized by YOU, and YOU are coming to ME?’
It’s like dude, “I just walked some seventy miles to get here to you, and now you want to play “twenty questions!”
Really?
Seriously?
Let’s just do this thing!
Gitter done!
Dunk me already!
But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so NOW, for THUS it is fitting for us TO FULFILL ALL righteousness.’
Then John allowed him.”
There were probably lots of other people waiting in line, and John did not have the time or the patience for private conversations…
Matthew’s gospel is all about “righteousness.”
It is all about taking the higher path.
It is all about doing what is right.
It is about DOING the WILL of GOD!
And not just for Jesus, either!
(For us, as well!)
“Righteousness” is a word that Matthew will use again and again… repetitively.
Historically, the FORERUNNER John — that “famous wild man” who lived on “nuts and wild honey,” and dressed in camel hair — was in the habit of calling “errant Jews” to “repentance,” and a good many of them were PLEASED to receive his words.
He also baptized them, as “a sign” of the “new birth and new life” to which they were “committing themselves.”
This is when the story takes a major turn…
Jesus Was ABOUT to be baptized. But once he is, LOOK OUT!
Enter THE “THEOLOGIANS.” Enter those who study the “WORD OF GOD.” Those who make a living at it…
Simple scripture, from this time forward, will be scrutinized as “Trinitarian Theology,” with overtones of “Christology,” we now can talk about a “Theophany”…or “visitation or a manifestation of God.”
For the first time in our “canonical gospels,” we find the implication of THE MYSTERY at the center of our specifically “Trinitarian Faith,” alluding as it does to “One God in Three Persons.” The TRIUNE GOD.
The scriptures take a turn.
A big turn.
This is huge.
This major.
This is groundbreaking…and we are only on the third chapter of Matthew’s gospel.
“When he had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were OPENED to him, and he saw the SPIRIT OF GOD descending like a dove and alighting on him.
And suddenly A VOICE CAME FROM HEAVEN, saying ‘This is My beloved SON, in whom I am well pleased.”
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
There ya have it.
The Trinity.
Three in One.
Don’t try to do the math!
It’s complicated!
And from this time on…
From this passage going forward…
Nothing is ever going to be the same.
Nothing is ever going to be easy.
For Jesus…
And for the church…
Amen.