The Way
Baptism in the Jordan
Heaven opened above the river
Story
The banks of the Jordan were crowded with people who had come for the baptism of repentance. Into that crowd walked a man from Nazareth in Galilee. It was Jesus, about thirty years old. As he came near, John the Baptist tried hard to stop him. I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?
Jesus answered. Let it be so for now. It is right for us to fulfill all righteousness this way. At that, John stopped resisting. The water of the Jordan covered his body and streamed away. As Jesus came up out of the water and was praying, the heavens opened.
The Spirit of God came down like a dove and rested on him. In that moment, when even the sound of the river seemed to fade, a voice rang out from heaven. You are my beloved Son. In you I take delight. The carpenter of Nazareth, who had lived so quietly, was now stepping out before the world.
Walk this scene on the map →His Words
Let it be this way for now. It is right for us to do this and so fulfill all that God's righteousness requires.
You are my Son, whom I love. In you I take great delight.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Mt 3:13–17 · Mk 1:9–11 · Lk 3:21–23
Background
John's Gospel calls the place where John was baptizing 'Bethany beyond the Jordan'. It is thought to be Al-Maghtas, on the Jordan east of Jericho. Luke gives Jesus' age at this time as about thirty.
Pause and Reflect
Am I taking for granted the love of Jesus, who humbled himself for me?