I wonder (Matthew 3:13-17)
Do baptizer and baptized constitute a hierarchy? How was Jesus’ baptism fulfilling all righteousness?
To receive these posts by email each Monday, sign up.
For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.
Why did Jesus go to John to be baptized in the Jordan? How did John know that Jesus was The One? Did Matthew believe John and Jesus were cousins? If so, did he care? I wonder.
Would John have preferred that Jesus baptize him instead of the other way around? Do baptizer and baptized constitute a hierarchy? How was Jesus’ baptism fulfilling all righteousness? I wonder.
What did Jesus believe was happening in his baptism by John? Was he repenting of the sins of the nation? Have I repented of the sins of my nation? I wonder.
When Jesus came up out of the water, did he feel the Spirit descending on him as a dove? When I was baptized as an infant, did I feel the Spirit descending on me as a dove? Did the heavens also cry out at my baptism, “This is my beloved child”? I wonder.
Was Jesus’ baptism a baptism into his ministry and into his death (Romans 6:3)? Is my baptism a baptism into my ministry and into my death? Was I buried with Christ through baptism into death to be raised again to new life? I hope so.
