The Jordan River

 

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus same from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 10:4-11 ESV).

 

Each time I have visited Israel one of the “must see” stops is the Jordan River where many believe Jesus was baptized. It is a beautiful spot on the river where accommodations have been constructed for pilgrims to change and be baptized in the river. The picture I’ve attached is from a vantage point that overlooks the more commercial spot so often seen. It is a beautiful spot.

 

Remember, John had baptized many people in the Jordan River before Jesus came to be baptized there. Jesus, who had no sin, had no need to repent. But John baptized him because Jesus said, “It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). Here, as Jesus set out to begin his teaching ministry and his mission to save us from sin and death, he was being anointed as the Messiah. In this role he would be the king and representative of a renewed people of God. He would be anointed by the Holy Spirit, and then, through Jesus, God’s people would receive the Spirit as well.

 

When Jesus came up out of the water in the Jordan, he saw heaven “torn open” and the Holy Spirit coming down in the form of a dove to anoint him. This showed that God was returning to live among his people, as he had done in the tabernacle. We saw this in Genesis 1:2, with the Spirit hovering over the waters. And here, in Jesus the Son, who came to live among us as a human being, God was working to renew our relationship with himself. After his anointing, Jesus was sent by the Spirit into the wilderness. There, like Adam and Eve, he was tempted by Satan. But Jesus succeeded where they had not (cf. Luke 4:1-13). His faithfulness in accomplishing all things made Him the perfect substitute for us. He paid the price I could never pay and died the death I deserved!