ArchivedWhy was Jesus baptized by John?I personally don’t take the issue of repentance lightly, but I believe there is more to this incident. Here in the case of Jesus Baptism, Jesus had no sin so the baptism to repentance was not applicable. He may have been identifying with John’s baptism of repentance, but then his words, “for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness” don’t make very much sense. Here’s what I’m thinking: Just as the Christ was a man so that he could remove the curse of the first man Adam (1Cor 15), so also the ground that saw the first sin and fall would be the very place of redemption and restoration. In other words, Eden was in the geographical area we know as Israel. See: www.faith-friends.com/Eden A number of patriarchs had encounters with angels as they crossed the Jordan River (Jacob, Joshua, Elijah). Could these angels have been the cherubim guarding the eastern side of Eden’s garden? The process by which the Israelites had to take the city of Jericho was an elaborate dance of circles, as they moved from the Jordan to the Promised Land 13 times. So did not the falling of Jericho’s walls represent far more in the spiritual realm than simply the taking of this city? Jesus was the fulfillment of the Ark of the Covenant, as all its contents are represented in Christ. Jesus is “The Word of God” like the tablets in the Ark, he is the “Bread of God” like the jar of manna in the Ark, and he represents the “Priesthood of God” like Aaron’s staff in the Ark. As Jesus stepped out into the waters of the Jordan River, like the lifting of Naaman’s leprosy, Jesus lifted the curse of the first Adam and heaven was opened. This is the beginning of our redemption, and the inauguration of the Christ’s ministry! He then went out into the wilderness to be tempted, climbing up Mt Nebo to see the nations, and then moving straight through to the temple, acting out his future return like lightening moving from the East to the West. Later, when Jesus died on the cross, the veil was ripped open from top to bottom, giving us full access to the inner courts. Eden was opened once more! |
🌈Pride🌈 goeth before Destruction
When 🌈Pride🌈 cometh, then cometh Shame