2.1 THE BAPTISM OF JESUS CHRIST MT. 3: 13 –17, MARK 1: 9 – 11, LUKE 3: 21 – 22

All the synoptic writers reported the baptism of Jesus.  According to Mathew, Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in River Jordan. When Jesus came to John to be baptized. John was reluctant to baptize him because he felt that it was Jesus who ought to baptize him.  But Jesus told him to allow it to be so in order to fulfill righteousness. Jesus Christ was dipped into the water and heaven opened and the spirit of God descended on him like a dove and he heard a voice, which says: “This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased”.

There is a disparity among the synoptic gospels about the time the dove descended on Jesus.  While Mathew and Mark say that this happened as Jesus was being baptized; Luke says it happened after the baptism as Jesus prayed.  Luke 3: 21 – 22.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BAPTISM OF JESUS CHRIST

1. It was significant because it symbolizes Jesus’ identification with sinners.
2. It served as an example for his disciples to follow.
3. This pattern that was laid down by Jesus was continued in the early church.
4. Apart from the meaning it had for Jesus, this act of baptism was significant for the ministry of John the Baptist.  The miraculous happening, which accompanied it, gave John an opportunity for divine approval of his ministry.
5. The baptism of Jesus provided a forum for a public confirmation of his messiahship and being Son of God.
6. It indicated that Jesus’ mission on earth will mainly benefit sinners hence his decision to identify himself with sinful humanity.

2.2 COMPARATIVE ACCOUNT OF THE TEMPTATION IN THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS – MAT 4: 1-11, MARK 1: 12-13. LUKE 4: 1-13

Jesus Christ fasted for forty days and forty nights and was tempted in the wilderness by the devil. According to Mathew and Luke the devil told him if he was the Son of God, he should command stone to become bread.  Jesus answered, it is written, and man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

In the second and third temptation, there is a disparity in the way it is reported by the synoptists.  The second temptation in Matthew appears third in Luke while the third temptation in Luke appears second in Matthew.

According to Mathew, in the second temptation, the devil took him to the Holy city to the pinnacle of the temple and asked him to jump down, since the angels would take charge of him.  Jesus replied, “it is written, you shall not tempt the Lord you God.

Thirdly, the devil took him up to a high mountain and showed him all the glories and the riches thereof.  He asked Jesus to bow down and worship him and everything would be given to him.  Jesus replied, “begone Satan, for it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve”.  Both Mathew and Luke agree on the wordings of the three temptations.

Finally, at the end of the temptation, Mathew and Mark reported that the angels arrived at the scene of the event to serve Jesus and rejoice over his victory.  Luke says that at the end the devil departed until an opportune time.

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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JESUS’ TEMPTATION OR LESSONS TO LEARN

1. No one is above temptation.
2. It is possible to overcome temptation if we rely on and actively seek the help of God.
3. We should always be alert, especially at moments of our weakness.  These are vulnerable periods of life when Satan is most likely to strike.
4. We should always bear in mind that temptation is not a sin, sin comes only when we yield to temptation through the exercise of our wills.  Hence every one must be held responsible for his actions.
5. We overcome temptation through the word of God prayer and fasting.
6. At the time we are closest to God, Satan will try to pull out from God.
7. We should try to discipline ourselves physically so as to be able to cut our passions and desires.