STM_FollowingJesus_samplepages

12 FOLLOWING JESUS
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
13
Today, the River Jordan is a tiny river about 13-15 m wide. It flows from
the foothills of Mount Hermon in the north (see Chapter 13) into the Sea of
Galilee and continues to the Dead Sea in the south.
Biblical Significance
Why did Jesus need to undergo baptism? Jesus’ baptism signifies that the
years of obscurity and preparation had come to an end. Apart from the
infancy narratives of Jesus (Matthew 1:18-2:23; Luke 1:26-2:40) and the
incident in the temple in Jerusalem at age 12 (Luke 2:41-51), we really do
not know much about his early life. For about 30 years, Jesus lived away
from the public eye. However, this was about to end at his baptism. The
baptism at the River Jordan marks the beginning of the years of Jesus’
public ministry. This was confirmed with the heavens being torn apart and
the Spirit descending like a dove on Jesus, with a voice from heaven (Mark
1:11). The voice from heaven not only testified Jesus as the Son of God but
also presented to the world the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. It was
after the baptism of Jesus that
he announced the coming of
the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-
15).
The River Jordan has
long been associated with
biblical narratives. In the Old
Testament, the river was the
eastern border of the Promised
Land (Deuteronomy 3:17).
Moses never crossed this river
Ruins of the Byzantine Church of the Trinity.
after leading God’s people out
of Egypt. It was Joshua, Moses’
successor, who led the people
into the Promised Land by first
conquering the city of Jericho.
It was by the River Jordan
that the people consecrated
themselves to the Lord (Joshua
3-4). 12 stones from the middle
of the river were placed on
the riverbank and erected as a
memorial to remind Israel that
God’s promise for them was
being fulfilled, which marked
a new beginning in their
national life.
The Mantle Chapel by the edge of the baptism
pool. This is believed to be the site where Jesus
took off his garment before he entered the water.
Mosaic painting depicting the baptism site during the Byzantine period.