A S P E C T S - a monthly devotional journal For subscription information on receiving Aspects every month via e-mail, or the laser-printed edition by mail, see NOTES, COPYRIGHT & SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION near the end of this file. Aspects is written by David S. Lampel. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Issue #15, February 1992 (Internet Edition) T O F U L F I L L A L L R I G H T E O S N E S S ----------------------------------------------------------------- In this issue: Perspective - Exit Jesus Perspective - Matthew's Verbs Perspective - Authority Confirmed Perspective - Because God Said To Perspective - Resurrection Perspective - Dialogue ----------------------------------------------------------------- NIV Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." -MAT 3:13-17 NIV NKJV Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." -MAT 3:13-17 NKJV ________________________ The very idea of being baptized caused in me an almost paralyzing fear. At the tender age of eight I had accepted Christ; now nine years old, and on the list of those to be baptized the following Sunday evening, I was petrified at the prospect. The baptismal in the old Baptist Temple of Marshalltown, Iowa was a massive oak-paneled affair--rounded and jutting out into the congregation. None of this high and lofty, perched above the choir loft business; no, this one was right down there by the first row, next to the piano. It was huge--especially to a nine-year-old. A broad body of water in which one practically had to swim to reach the pastor. And hence the rub. I couldn't swim. I wouldn't even put my head under water. (Oh Lord, why couldn't I have been born Episcopalian?!) The instructions had been to wear a white shirt and bring a white handkerchief--which would be placed over your nose at the crucial moment. I searched out the widest, fattest white handkerchief I could lay my hands on. I rehearsed the moment, running it over and over in my head: Let's see, I fold my arms across my chest. Pastor will grab my wrist. With my other hand I forcefully wrap this wad of cotton over my nose, hermetically sealing it against the remotest possibility of one drop of water getting in. I was certain I would drown. I was certain the pastor would haul me up out of the water sputtering and gasping and I would be publicly humiliated before my girlfriend--who would surely be seated just inches away on that front pew. Talk about being persecuted for your faith. I stepped into those waters with fear and trepidation. Up the few wooden steps, down into the water, turn the corner and part the heavy curtain, everybody's staring at me!, reach for the pastor's arm before I slip and fall helplessly beneath the waves. He asks me a question, to which I answer in the affirmative. Do I have a verse I would like to recite? I think so; I mean, I did just a1minute ago. My mind is a blur, hopelessly focused on the burning question: Will I survive this ordeal? Suddenly the Trinity are being pronounced, the pastor's hand is up over my head, I'm sinking, I'm sinking! Quick, the handkerchief! I squeeze my eyes closed; I shove the folded cloth against my face, praying I haven't left a tiny portal for water to seep through and do me in. Before my life can pass before me in this watery grave, I'm up and out. My mom is dabbing at her eyes, my dad is beaming, and my girlfriend is grinning at me. Praise be! I haven't humiliated myself after all. ________________________ The Words --------- "Two Greek verbs that are closely related are linked with baptism. Bapto is the basic verb. It means "to dip in" or "to dip under." It is often used of dipping fabric in a dye. Baptizo is an intensive form of bapto. From early times it was used in the sense of immersing."(1) ________________________ Our church in San Diego sponsored a Spanish-speaking mission that held its services in one of our Sunday School buildings. Consequently, when the time came for one of their members to be baptized, they would borrow the baptistry in our sanctuary. One Sunday morning, at the start of our worship service, the pastor of the mission gave us the privilege of sharing in their baptismal service. As we would, the choir turned in our seats to watch the event taking place just above our heads. It was conducted entirely in Spanish--which means I didn't understand a word being said. I didn't understand any of the words--but I understood perfectly what was being said. It became one of those high moments that is experienced once, but tucked away for safe keeping and pulled out for inspection from time to time. For these were people who loved their Lord with a passion, and were eager to demonstrate that fact. The memory of one middle-aged woman in particular has stayed with me. She couldn't wait to get into those waters, couldn't wait to publicly demonstrate the passionate love she had for her Lord. I have heard enough Spanish to know that she was, indeed, speaking in her mother tongue, but she was filled with the Holy Ghost and loudly proclaiming His praise. Then when she came up out of the waters, this woman became even more effervescent in her praise, weeping with joy over her salvation. Her jubilant spirit still rings in my ears. Even allowing for the differences between youth and maturity, what a remarkable contrast between these two. In the first, the predominant emotion was one of anxiety; in the second, unabashed joy. What made the difference? Externals and internals. Temporal and eternal. The nine-year-old boy was preoccupied with what others would think, with his level of discomfort and embarrassment--with himself. The Hispanic woman was preoccupied with her God. ________________________ O Happy Day! O happy day that fixed my choice on Thee, my Savior and my God! Well may this glowing heart rejoice and tell its raptures all abroad. Refrain Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away! He taught me how to watch and pray and live rejoicing every day; Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away! O happy bond that seals my vows to Him who merits all my love! Let cheerful anthems fill His house, While to that sacred shrine I move.(2) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective E X I T J E S U S ------------- We each approach our baptism differently. Consider how Jesus might have informed his mother about this most critical turning point in His earthly ministry . . . MARY (frustrated): But I don't understand this. JESUS (quietly, but firmly): I must leave. MARY: You haven't given me a reason. Have I done something wrong? JESUS: I....I'm compelled. MARY: Jesus, when your father died, he left with his heart at peace, knowing that you--his first son--would continue his business and care for his family. JESUS: I am the first-born to another. MARY: Again you speak of it! JESUS (tenderly): Mother, when I was twelve years old you and father took me to the temple in Jerusalem. Do you remember? It was my first time and I was so excited. It was all so new and special to me. But I stayed too long. I was separated from you and stayed behind and made you angry. Do you remember what I said to you when you found me there in the temple? Mother, do you? MARY (emphatically): Your father's business is here! JESUS: Would you have me deny my Father's will? MARY (missing his inference; nostalgically): He wanted only the best for you. You learned his trade so easily--you were born to it. And he was so proud of you. Why, Joseph always said----- JESUS (firmly): Mother! (pause; softening) I loved Joseph with all my heart. With all his uncertainty, all his...questions, he accepted me. He loved me as his son. But it was a love that held much pain. He put up with so much vicious talk. MARY: Oh, was I immune to the gossip of neighbors? JESUS: I was at least of your body. He held no claim to me but marriage to you. A man and woman join to create life. That child is then a special miracle to those two people. Joseph never had that with me. He could love, even accept, but never fully understand. I was never a part of him. My beginnings were not stirred from his loins---and my end will not be his memorial. MARY (turning away; sadly): At this moment, I think I miss my husband very much. I feel so... alone. JESUS (going to her): I will always be a part of you. You brought me into this world. You gave me the warmth of your arms, the nourishment of your breast... you gave me life! You're my mother! MARY: Then how can you leave? JESUS (stronger): It's my time. MARY (angrily): Time for what? To break your mother's heart? Time to walk away from your responsibilities, your family? Your life is here! You are the oldest. JESUS: I'm going to be baptized. MARY (stunned; incredulous): Baptized? Why? Only the Gentiles require baptism when they accept our faith. Why would you have need of this? JESUS: To fulfill all righteousness. In obedience to my father. MARY (harshly): Your father died nine years ago. He left you to take care of his family. JESUS (sternly): Woman! You can no longer keep buried in your heart the reality of my birth! Remember. Remember how it began. I have never been yours to keep. Only for a time. (pause) I have no one closer to me on this earth than you. But, it is my Father's plan that I walk the rest of the way alone. MARY (after a pause; in catharsis): Oh, Jesus! I've denied the possibility of this day for....thirty years. I prayed that, somehow, God would show me mercy....that He would change His mind. JESUS: The Father will never forsake you. Through you He has accomplished His purpose. Don't be afraid, Mary. MARY (smiling through her tears): A long time ago, an angel from the Lord said that to me. I wasn't sure how to take it then; (seriously) I'm not sure how to take it now. I am very much afraid--for you. (pause) Will I ever see you again? JESUS: I'll not be a stranger to you. We'll meet from time to time and others will keep you informed of my whereabouts. But, (painfully) you must understand, I now walk the lonely path of my Father's design. It's a way narrow and hard. Mother, you will never completely understand why I came. To you, I'll always be your son. But now I must be His son--and only His son. That, too, is my Father's design. He has given you thirty years--more than even I imagined. (pause) It's now my time. And my time is short. [Exit JESUS.] ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective M A T T H E W ' S V E R B S ------------- Jesus was preoccupied with God when he left His home to be baptized by His cousin(3) John at the Jordan River.(4) We have so little in Scripture about this episode in His life. How did He feel, leaving His family and home to begin His ministry? Was He excited, apprehensive, somber, joyous? Did anyone try to talk Him out of it? Did He walk to the Jordan by Himself, or did friends or family go with Him? If family came along, what was their response to what they saw that day in the River Jordan? Why did Jesus even need to be baptized? ________________________ "The importance of this event in gospel history lies in its official or messianic significance. For Jesus to be baptized was not a merely personal or private matter. John's baptism was a 'baptism of repentance' (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3), and personally Jesus had no need of such repentance; he was holy and sinless (e.g. Luke 1:35). Rather, the baptism of Jesus is his 'coronation', the occasion of his official, public installation as Messiah. "His baptism at the Jordan points the Messiah in the way he must go: the way of suffering, condemnation and death that ends on the cross, and the cross, his climactic exposure to God's fiery wrath on sin, is the ultimate 'baptism' he has 'to undergo' (Luke 12:50; cf. Mark 10:38-39; Luke 22:42). Indeed, the entire earthly ministry of Jesus--from the Jordan to the cross and resurrection--may be seen as a species of 'baptism', a baptism-ordeal."(5) ________________________ This passage (our focus text of Matthew 5 3:13-17) is a fascinating word study. The particular verbs chosen by Matthew tell us a lot about the whys and wherefores of this critical juncture in the life of Christ. For example: * Jesus came to John "to be baptized by him" (3:13).(6) The verb tense used for baptized is the one for an accomplished, single action. Jesus, like us, only needed to be baptized once. * "But John tried to prevent Him" (3:14). The tense of this word denotes repeated or continuous action. John didn't just demure once, to be polite; he repeatedly tried to dissuade Jesus, claiming that he (John) was the one who should be baptized by Jesus. * "But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time" (3:15). This is my favorite. The Greek word translated permit in the NASB is aphiemi (KJV: suffer). The word means to let something go loose, to release. What a delightful image this gives us of Jesus at this crossroad moment: "Release me, John; baptize me so that I will be let loose to perform the Father's will." ________________________ "Baptism is an expression of the repentance which leads to forgiveness of sins. In this case the forgiveness is not the result of the outward rite. The act of baptism is a public demonstration that it has happened."(7) Into the Word ------------- Parallel Passages MAT 3:13-17 MAR 1:9-11 LUK 3:21-23 See also: JOH 1:29-34 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective A U T H O R I T Y C O N F I R M E D ------------- And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." -MAT 3:16-17 NASB ________________________ What leaps out at me, from this text, is the dramatic convergence of the three members of the holy Trinity. After a long period of silence, God the Father now spoke audibly to mankind--and to say what? "This person before you is my Son! He is the Son of God." Further confirming this proclamation, the Holy Spirit descended from a portal of heaven; He either appeared, bodily, as a dove, or gave the impression of a dove's movement. In either case, the Spirit confirmed Jesus as the Messiah, chosen by God. It seems like a reunion of sorts. For thirty years, Jesus had been away from heaven--away from the physical presence of His Father and the Holy Spirit. Now, in one exuberant display cascading from heaven, the three members of the Trinity are rejoined. And why? To declare to all who would hear it: "This man Jesus is the Annointed One, the Savior of the world!" ________________________ Fill Me Now Hover o'er me, Holy Spirit, bathe my trembling heart and brow; Fill me with Thy hallow'd presence, come, O come and fill me now. Thou canst fill me, gracious Spirit, tho I cannot tell Thee how; But I need Thee, greatly need Thee, come, O come and fill me now.(8) Into the Word ------------- Were there any other times, such as at the baptism of Jesus, where there occurred a similar convergence (revealed to man) of the members of the Trinity? In what other forms has the Holy Spirit revealed Himself to man? ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective B E C A U S E G O D S A I D T O ------------- The commentators and scholars can, and do, go on at some length about why Jesus was baptized. They begin by pointing out the obvious: Jesus was without sin; if baptism is meant as an act to publicly demonstrate regeneration--of forgiven sin--then Jesus had no reason to be baptized. They then proceed to postulate great and profound theories why it was necessary for sinless Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to be baptized. I would not presume to bandy words with these teachers; their scholarship far outweighs my own. But as is so often the case in Scripture, all the learned theories can be sifted down to one, simple truth. In this case, the simple truth is that Jesus Christ permitted Himself to be baptized because His Father told Him to. As with every other episode in His earthly existence, Jesus did it out of obedience. It was the right thing to do. The Father told Jesus to live within the limitations of human flesh, though He was deity. The Father told Jesus to go 40 days and nights without food and to endure the temptations and ridicule of Satan, though He was the Son of God. The Father told Jesus to live among those who would reject Him, though He had created them. The Father told Jesus to die on a cross for the sins of the world, though He was the only one without sin. And He did it all, because God said to. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective R E S U R R E C T I O N ------------- But let's get back to that nine-year-old boy who almost drowned in the baptistry. Whatever happened to him? I am told that immediately after the excruciating agony of childbirth, all memories of said agony are replaced by an overwhelming joy at the new birth. When that young lad came up out of the baptismal pool, there was only rejoicing. All memory of the procedural agonies was gone; any discomfort or embarrassment was forgotten; in a moment, rapture replaced dread. In a moment, I felt cleaner than I had ever felt after the longest bath. Suddenly I understood: Though my sins were forgiven when I had accepted Christ as my Savior, I had just experienced (and demonstrated) in a tangible way that all of my sins had now been thoroughly washed away. To those who had witnessed the moment, I was now a new person. With Jesus, my Savior, I had passed through the waters of His baptism into a new life. ________________________ "He came to save all . . . who through Him are born into God, infants, children, boys, young men, and old. Therefore, He passed through every stage of life: He was made an infant for infants, sanctifying infancy; a child among children, sanctifying those of this age; a young man amongst young men, an example to them and sanctifying them to the Lord; so also among the older men . . . that He might be a perfect Master for all in respect of each stage of life."(9) "Augustine was later to say that in the pagan philosophers he could find parallels for everything in the New Testament except for one saying--the Word became flesh."(10) ________________________ Jesus, And Shall It Ever Be? Jesus, and shall it ever be, a mortal man ashamed of Thee? Ashamed of Thee, whom angels praise, Whose glories shine through endless days? Ashamed of Jesus! sooner far let evening blush to own a star; He sheds the beams of light divine o'er this benighted soul of mine. Ashamed of Jesus! yes, I may, when I've no guilt to wash away; No tear to wipe, no good to crave, no fears to quell, no soul to save. Till then, nor is my boasting vain, Till then I boast a Saviour slain; And O, may this my glory be, That Christ is not ashamed of me! Amen. (11) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective DIALOGUE ------------- "The question regarding perfection on page 5 [January, 1992 Aspects, They Found Him in the Temple] is an intriguing one; that is to say that Jesus was perfect having come from the Father, but the temple teachers were there to hone his thoughts and teachings. In other words they were acting as a sounding board of sorts, in order for Jesus to bounce thoughts off of [them], to give more force to what the Father would have Him bring to the ears of the people. "I try not to use the word "amazing" [p5, From the Mind of God], because even though the world would think it amazing what God has to say in His word or what He causes to [come to] pass, it is every day stuff with God. "To answer the other important question "What's our excuse?", the answer is none, we have no excuse. For all that God has given us in the way of His written word, and the things He has caused to happen to show us His power, we have no excuse not to know who He is through the life of His Son, Jesus Christ. We cannot plead ignorance or stupidity, because God has given us all the tools necessary to reach the conclusion that indeed He is real, and we can come to know Him through His Son." (Guy Childers, Las Vegas, NV) ======================================================================== NOTES, COPYRIGHT & SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Notes ----- 1 Lawrence O. Richards, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words (Zondervan, 1985), p.100-101. 2 Philip Doddridge, Hymn #532 in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration (WORD, 1986). 3 "Cousin" in the sense that they were related, somehow. KJV uses the word "cousin" to describe the relationship between Mary, mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, mother of John. But this is used in the same sense as here; the best translation of their relationship (and hence, their sons) is "relative" or "kinswoman." So Jesus and John were related, but just how, we are not sure. 4 The Jordan River was (and is) approximately 15 miles due East of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 R.B. Gaffin Jr., (Professor of New Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia) in New Dictionary of Theology (InterVarsity Press, 1988), p.74. 6 The translation used is NASB and this discussion is based on notes in The Discovery Bible: New American Standard New Testament, Reference Edition, with H.E.L.P.S. The Study System of the Discovery Bible, by Gary Hill with consulting editor Gleason L. Archer (Moody Press, 1987). Italics are mine. 7 Donald Guthrie (former lecturer in New Testament, London Bible College), New Testament Theology (Inter-Varsity Press, 1981), p.718. 8 Elwood H. Stokes, Hymn #261 in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration (WORD, 1986). 9 Irenaeus, in You Can Say That Again: An Anthology of Words Fitly Spoken (Zondervan, 1991), compiled and arranged by R.E.O. White. 10 William Barclay, Ibid. 11 Joseph Grigg (1720-1768), Hymn #408 in Worship and Service Hymnal (Hope Publishing, 1962). Copyright Information --------------------- All original material in Aspects is Copyright (C) 1995 David S. Lampel. This data file is the sole property of David S. Lampel. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. 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