Ordination

Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" 15 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 he allowed Him. 16 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 upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Jesus arrives.

This is always fully satisfying to those who are seeking Him, and most puzzling to those who are not.

It is interesting to compare God’s ratification of John the Baptist’s ministry of water-baptism for repentance with the way it was viewed by the Sadducees and Pharisees.

Here we have two parties that would consider themselves in no need of repentance.

The Sadducees and Pharisees consider themselves in no need of repentance because they study the law, are aware of its importance, and consider themselves the keepers of it. (Even if they have not performed the law individually, collectively they would consider themselves as “worthy” simply because of their association with it.) They are, simply put, “the Lawmen” of their time. In other words, they ARE the Law. Based upon this self-assessment of their righteous standing, submitting to a baptism of repentance would be humiliating and unnecessary. In fact, it could undermine their standing with the common people.

Jesus, on the other hand, is literally without sin. He has been born of Divine conception apart from sin and has never committed sin. He alone, literally, is in no need of a baptism of repentance. He is the ONLY man Who ever lived Who has no need for repentance. And – just as in the case of the Sadducees and Pharisees – being baptized for repentance could stand to undermine Jesus’ position with the people.

Why then, would Jesus submit to baptism, (since He has no need of repentance,) while the Sadducees and Pharisees would refuse baptism while in great need of repentance?

The answer is the difference between the Divine Nature and the human nature. The Divine Nature does not care about appearance – while appearance is the chief concern of human nature.

Now, careful observers will note what actually takes place in the baptism of Jesus by John: It is a baptism of ordination - which takes place in the same setting where baptisms of repentance are taking place. God is never concerned; it seems, with ‘appearances.’

Jesus, at 30 years of age, is presently presenting Himself for ordination into the Priesthood. (He IS our High Priest.) A descending dove and God’s Voice of affirmation from a suddenly-opened heaven prove as much. Let Jesus’ ministry life begin…by the authority of God. Would God’s literal appearing overcome ‘appearances?’

-Pastor Bill