The location of Jesus’ baptism is close to the base of Mount Nebo, in modern-day Jordan. This is where Moses looked out over the Promised Land after leading the Israelites to freedom through the Red Sea, which symbolized baptism, and then wandered with them in the desert for forty years, symbolizing our journey to the promised land of Heaven. Though Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land, Joshua led the Israelites down the mountain, crossed the Jordan near where Jesus was baptized, and captured the city of Jericho, beginning the realization of God’s promise of their new land.
The site of Jesus’ baptism is also believed to be the place where Elijah the prophet, was taken up to Heaven in a flaming chariot after crossing the Jordan River with Elisha, his successor. Based on a prophecy found in Malachi 4:5, the Israelites believed that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah, possibly where he was taken up.Â
As we begin this reflection on Jesus’ baptism, try to understand the sacredness of the place. Reflect upon Moses standing on the mountain overlooking the Promised Land, Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan River, Elijah being taken up to Heaven, and John the Baptist—the new Elijah—baptizing, all in the same place.
John had been baptizing for some time, and many were coming out to the desert to receive his baptism of repentance. When Jesus arrived for His baptism, John said to Him, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” John then consented and baptized our Lord.
Jesus’ humility was deep. He was perfect, the Creator of the Universe, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, yet He associated Himself with fallen humanity, not only becoming one of us but also by entering John’s baptism of repentance. In doing so, Jesus revealed our own need for humility, repentance, and the cleansing waters of baptism. When we are baptized, we enter the waters with Jesus and receive from Him the grace He imparted through the cleansing waters. In a sense, Jesus’ baptism was an act by which He “baptized” the waters so that water would be capable of transmitting His cleansing grace.
Ponder your own baptism. Regardless of whether you were baptized as an infant or as an adult, your baptism matters. It is the foundation of all sanctifying grace in your life. By modelling baptism at the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus conveys to us that once we are baptized, we have a duty to be attentive to all He taught in His public ministry and imitate His actions during His Passion. Baptism is the gateway to grace; those who are baptized receive an invitation to accept grace in every way it is given.
Sometimes we go through life as if we are spoiled children, expecting God to grant our every request. As the starting point of grace, Baptism teaches us that the Christian life is not about asking God for what we want. Baptism must lead us to a renunciation of sin, a cleansing from that sin, and an anointing for the mission to which we are called. We should see Baptism as imposing upon us a new duty to continuously repent and become the Christians God calls us to be so that we can embrace God’s will, not ask God to grant us our will.
Reference:
Thomas, J.P. (2024) Ascending the Celestial Hierarchy: The Golden Staircase to Seraphic Glory. Available at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DHK3TGJ8? encoding=UTF8&ref=as_li_ss_tl&language=en_US&sr=&linkCode=gg2&linkId=8cd6c168d1a3a538357eafa98f635c3d&tag=mycali08-20
Please pray for all those who have died recently:
Agnes Baby Varghese (80), Thomas Mani (87), George Kakkassery (75) Thomas Chummar (81) P V Varghese Punnackapadavil (88) Marykutty Mathew (76)
