Bridging the Gap

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. —Matthew 3:13

Finally, after years of disciplined waiting, Father God has an unusual answer for Jesus’ usual question:

“So . . . are we there yet, Father?” a grinning Jesus might have offered as he concluded his morning prayers and turned to walk to work.

“Actually, we are,” replied Father God with a curious ache softening his normally strong voice.

(silence)

“We are? We are . . . there?!” Jesus asked in rising anticipation.

“In a word: yes. Today is the day, Son. Leave your tools on the table. I’ve made an appointment for you with a holy man in camel’s hair.”

There.

Where is there for you? What does it look like? What do you think it will feel like? There, for Jesus, was a miraculous but misunderstood journey toward a splintered, bloody cross.

Leaving his hometown, Jesus’ steps must have been filled with thought. He apparently traveled alone those thirty to sixty miles from Nazareth to somewhere along the Jordan River. Historically, he walked from the scorned to the significant. Spiritually, he journeyed from anonymity into global renown.

On the other side he would encounter Cousin John, an odd but strangely endearing, organic fellow. Diplomacy was not at the center of John’s gifting cluster, but sincere souls by the hundreds were drawn to his raw, unedited call to repentance.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” . . . People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Matthew 3:1–2, 5–6)

Ceremonial cleansing was a familiar concept in John’s day. Those desiring to embrace the Jewish faith fulfilled several obligations including a “ritual bath to wash away the impurities” of their pagan past.1 However, John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for those already committed to—not merely converting to—faith in God.

This was slightly scandalous. John challenged his hearers to take personal responsibility for their sins and not rely smugly on their ancestry for acceptance in God’s sight. When people responded to John’s message and stepped into the Jordan, they were saying, “I have sinned. May God forgive me. May he strengthen me to follow him in holiness and prepare me to receive the Messiah he has promised to send.”

(...continued in part two...) 

From anonymous: Jesus' hidden years... and yours
© Alicia Britt Chole

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