This site looks at passages from the Bible, current religious news, and a 20-something Christian own experiences, and attempts to show how these stories are relevant to your life.
This site isn't only for Christians; it's for Jews, atheists, Muslims, and people who don't have any idea where they stand on religion.
This site is for anyone who wants a different perspective on the life each and every one of us get up and deal with every day.
Jesus' Baptism
My christianty education is more broad than depth. I randomly attended Sunday School until my confirmation and then picked up a mostly self-taught Christian education in college. So I don't know if Jesus' baptism is one of the first stories taught (maybe it is? Seems kind of important), but I vividly remember reading about it when I was older than the first year or so of Sunday School.
This story sticks out to me because at first it seems silly. Jesus? Baptized? Isn't he the last person who needs a baptism? When Jesus asked John the Baptist to baptism him, Jesus and his disciples are already a big enough deal that John says, "Really? Are you sure you want me to do that?" But what Jesus persudes John that he is sure, so John baptizes him at Aenon, a spring near Jericho when John did a lot of baptisms.
As usual, in the scripture itself Jesus does not offer any explaination of why he wanted to be baptized. So naturally I turned to the next best solution - Google. As I found myself getting lost in everything from academic articles to chat rooms, it occured to me that what I was doing was kind of pointless. Jesus chose to be baptized, so I must have faith that this was one part of his mission on earth. Ultimatly, Jesus spread the word of God and saved us from our sins. Baptism, therefore, is another part of that. Jesus shows that baptism is a fresh start; the beginning of one's ministry to spread Christianity and to be cleansed of sin.
Two thoughts for you:
- Jesus came for John and called on him and told him he wanted John to do something. But, John (John THE Baptist!) balked and questioned Jesus. So ask yourself, when Jesus presents an opportunity for you to do something for him, are you truly ready? When the moment comes, will you fully trust him and listen? Maybe that moment is already here.
- Like I said, people examine why exactly Jesus chose to be baptized. According to the gospel, he was 30 years old and already had followers. But Jesus shows that anyone has the right to be baptized if he believes. Any believer, young or old, can be baptized. Baptism can also be a personal thing. Everytime you turn to God to be forgiven, or you feel a powerful sense of renewal in your faith, you are baptized again. You aren't baptized once, you are baptized again and again throughout your life.
