DownloadDec. 21, 2009 issue
John and Jesus
Lesson for January 3, 2010 — Matthew 3:1-6, 11-17
By Amy DueckmanThere is a man in our city who seems very John-the-Baptist-like.
Dueckman
At least, his appearance is what I would picture John to be. This man is a bit wild-looking, with longish, unkempt hair. Sometimes I see his bicycle against a tree in the park with a cardboard sign that quotes end-times Bible verses. I suppose if John the Baptist were living in our time, he would also carry a signboard that says, “Repent! The kingdom of heaven is near!” And I suppose that many people would dismiss him as a kook, just as passers-by today shake their heads and dismiss such modern-day “prophets” as eccentric and best ignored.
John is a voice of one crying in the wilderness or desert. Although this refers geographically to the area surrounding the Dead Sea, it can also symbolically recall the time that the nation of Israel was itself wandering in the wilderness, or the human condition of wandering hopelessly in sin. In preparing for the coming of Christ, John calls those in the wilderness of life to choose a straight path.
A different meaning of baptism
Despite John’s unusual diet and primitive clothing, the residents of the Judean countryside do not dismiss him as a kook. His message rings true with them, for we are told that he attracted a wide audience, baptizing many. The word translated “repent” has a much deeper meaning than to show regret. It means to turn around, to make a complete change in turning from sin.
No wonder John protests when his cousin Jesus comes to be baptized. What sin is there in Jesus to turn from? This is the one completely without sin, and John protests that Jesus should rather be baptizing him. Yet baptism for Jesus has a different meaning. In choosing to be publicly baptized at the start of his ministry, Jesus humbly identifies with the people he has come to save.
As Jesus comes up out of the waters of the Jordan River, we see all three persons of the Trinity present: Jesus the Son of God, present in human form; the Holy Spirit descending on him as a dove; and God the Father as the voice from heaven saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Amy Dueckman, a former staff writer for Mennonite Weekly Review, works for Canadian Mennonite and Mennonite Central Committee British Columbia and is a member of Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, B.C.
Comments
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I have been reading and studing articles about the antibaptist. I understand what it would take to go to the Amish Order. If I were younger I would presue the old order. Life has passed me almost by but, I do know that In the beginning God and the word was with God who when his only son was born he came into this world by virgin birth and became the living word. When God in human form returned to heaven he left the Holy Spirit to be our guide. The problem with most churchs today is they know and preach God and Jesus but do not remember that we need the Holy Spirit to enable us to reachs Jesus and our Father in heaven. If we don't have the Holy Spirit living in our hearts we are totally lost.
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