Scripture reference:
Matthew 3:13-17, 'Baptism of the historical Jesus'
Matthew 3:13-17, 'Baptism of the historical Jesus'
In today’s Gospel reading Matthew 3:13-17, when the historical Jesus came to John the Baptist requesting personal water baptism, John the Baptist discouraged him. Jesus however insisted that John perform his personal water baptism, so he Jesus could fulfill righteousness. To the historical Jesus then, his personal water baptism confirms his solidarity with God and all humankind in salvation, fulfilling all righteousness and kingdom living here on earth [Matthew 3:15, 6:33].
Water baptism and righteousness involve what the historical Jesus declared to Nicodemus, as being born from above, of water and the Spirit [John 3:1-7]. John the Baptist also added Jesus' baptism of fire [Matthew 3:11]. In solidarity with all humankind, the historical Jesus fully embraced, took hold of and lived in the newly revealed, Holy Spirit-based, Christ-consciousness. The descent of the Holy Spirit on the historical Jesus, after his water baptism herald’s mankind's similar empowerment by the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.
Like the historical Jesus, our great high priest, God designs us all, to demonstrate solidarity with the light, life, love, and law of the indwelling and incarnate Christ of Faith. The bible describes the historical Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life [John 14:6]. Let us by faith, seek solidarity with the historical Jesus, by steadfastly following him as Way-shower in living the Paschal Mystery [Matthew 16:21-26].
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