Baptism of the Lord, Sunday – 10th January 2021 — Gospel: Mk 1,7-11
Epiphany Continued
Today we continue the celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord. We can say, the Church celebrates four manifestations or epiphanies of Jesus. Today is the third of them, as Jesus being revealed to the world by his baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. The first was Jesus’ manifestation of his birth to the shepherds at Bethlehem (on December 25th – cfr. Lk 2,1-20). The second epiphany was Jesus being shown forth to the Magi (Mt 2,1-12). The fourth manifestation is Jesus beginning his public life with the miracle at the wedding at Cana (Jn 2,1-12).
In the Gospel text Mark answers the question of who is Jesus. He identifies Jesus both as Son of Man and as Son of God. He shows that the human and divine are united in one person. In describing that Jesus came from a particular town of Nazareth, the evangelist points out that Jesus is real flesh-and-blood human being. Though Nazareth was a small insignificant village, yet it gives real historical identity and background to Jesus as a person. In coming down from the hills of Galilee to the river Jordan, and by accepting baptism at the hands of John, Jesus appears as an ordinary Jewish man. In indicating the drastic change that occurred to the man from Galilee when he stepped into water points out Jesus’ divine nature. In that moment, God reveals to the people and acknowledges Jesus as “His beloved Son in whom Abba-God is pleased.” With the combination of divine and human nature, although Jesus had no need for John’s baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, yet he comes in unity with sinful humanity to offer repentance on behalf of all God’s people.
Jesus baptism pictures what happens when a person makes a decision for God. 1) There is a decision for God and a submission to God (1,9). Jesus’ baptism involved a momentous decision to leave Nazareth and a total surrender to God’s will and mission to save the world. 2) There is a beginning and an identification with God and his people (1,9). His baptism was a beginning of a new life and a new direction in His life. It was launching the mission of God to save the world. Jesus was identifying himself with John’s ministry. John was proclaiming the coming of the Messiah and Lamb of God. Likewise through baptism Jesus was identifying himself as Messiah and the Lamb of God. 3) There is a commissioning and an empowering (1,10). This is seen in the heavens’ opening and the Spirit’s descending upon Him. Jesus was being commissioned and set apart by heaven itself. God miraculously tore apart the barrier between heaven and earth, allowing Jesus to see into the glory of heaven from where he had come. The Spirit of God and His power empowered Jesus to do the work of God. 4) There is the sign of approval and encouragement of God (1,11). As man, Jesus Christ needed the perfect assurance of God and God meets the needs of his servants. He speaks to our hearts, when we needed some clear indication, some special strength, and some encouragement. What God did for Jesus was something profound.
