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Face to Face:Well-Pleased
by J. Ross Greer of The Place of Grace Ministries (about the ministry)
[Note: If you'd like to read more from J. Ross Greer, be sure to subscribe to his daily e-mail list A Word For The Church.]
13Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" 15But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. 16After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."
Jesus came to the Jordan for the sole purpose of being baptized. Baptism, then and now, was a symbol of identification with the one being followed. In this case, Jesus was acknowledging for all present that He was a follower of Almighty God.
Of course, John the Baptist did not quite understand the need for the baptism of Jesus. He rightly indicated his need to demonstrate his allegiance to Jesus. However, as with all of the works of God, there was a higher purpose.
That purpose was to fulfill all righteousness. We needed the example of Jesus to follow. Baptism does not save us, as it did not save Jesus. Rather, we identify ourselves with Him as we do what He did.
Baptism, when properly administered, also gives a physical illustration to what has occurred within us spiritually. Jesus came up out of the water, implying that He was placed underneath. This, of course, accurately portrays our death to the power of sin and the resurrection to the new life that now reigns within us through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The reaction of the Father is that of being well-pleased at the obedience of His Son. When we walk in close harmony with our Father, we too can know where He wants us to go and what He wants us to do. We, also, will know that He is pleased with our obedience to His will. There is no better experience in life than to know we are rightly related to our Father.
Copyright 2002, The Place of Grace Ministries. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About The Place of Grace Ministries: In 1992, God interrupted the well-organized life of J. Ross Greer through a study called "Experiencing God". This encounter birthed a passionate vision for local churches that has become The Place of Grace Ministries. Through teaching, music, and writing, we call believers to return to the basic principles of God's Word and participate in the work of God. For questions or scheduling information, please contact us at: theplaceofgrace@att.net Or visit our web site at: http://home.att.net/~theplaceofgrace/theplaceofgrace.html |
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