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44. Jesus' (‘Îsâ) Baptism

 

In all four Gospels we hear the story of the baptism of Jesus. A remarkable thing happens when Jesus’s relative, John the Baptist, prepares a way by announcing that someone is coming that’s before him and that is greater than Him. Jesus is bringing a call to repentance and an offer of the forgiveness of sin. In Jesus' baptism, we hear the Father’s voice say “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”  We also see the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus Christ the Son, resting upon Him. In Jesus’ baptism, as well as other places in Scripture, we witness the Trinity: where God is one God in essence, yet eternally exists in three distinct fully divine persons whom He reveals to us as Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. The miraculous occurrence that we witness in the baptism of Jesus is an example for us to follow and a sign for us to witness that Jesus really is who He says He is, the Son of God, God in flesh.

·      Read in The Qur’an - ?

 

Readings from The Qur’an:

·      As important as baptism is in the ministry and teachings of Jesus, why do you think that the Qur’an does not mention it?

 

Readings from The Tanakh and The Bible:

·      Matthew 3:13–17 “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. [14] John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” [15] But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. [16] And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; [17] and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

·      Mark 1:9–13 “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10] 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. [11] And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” [12] The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. [13] And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”

·      Luke 3:21–22 “Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, [22] and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

·      Luke 4:1–13 “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness [2] for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. [3] The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” [4] And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” [5] And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, [6] and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. [7] If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” [8] And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” [9] And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, [10] for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ [11] and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” [12] And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” [13] And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.”

·      John 1:29–34 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! [30] This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ [31] I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” [32] And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. [33] I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ [34] And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”