Revealed in the Waters

In the section of Matthew preceding today’s excerpt, John uses forceful Old Testament language to announce God’s visitation: “His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12). Jesus too announces the coming of the kingdom of heaven, but distances himself from John’s starkness. The distancing is visible in today’s gospel.  

As Jesus rises from the baptismal water, three distinctive features announce who he is. First, “the heavens were opened.” The prophet Ezekiel saw the heavens opened to reveal a daring and unparalleled vision of God (Ezekiel 1). Secondly in Matthew, the Spirit of God descends on Jesus like a dove. “Spirit” in Hebrew (rûaḥ) primarily refers to air in motion. Invisible yet uncontrollable, moving air is an apt symbol for divine activity. Such a spirit descended upon the prophets, enabling them to guide the people, which is what Jesus will do. The third and climactic word in Jesus’s baptism is the most important: “A voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” It tells us who Jesus is, not simply what he does. The same words were originally addressed to the Servant in Isaiah tasked to lead the people home from exile.  

The baptism marks a new stage in God’s dealing with Israel. In the course of history, the Church defined more clearly how Jesus is Son of God, and how he relates to the Father and the Spirit. Liturgically, the Baptism of Jesus brings the Christmas Season to a proper conclusion, for it puts the Incarnate Word on full display.  

One aspect of today’s feast needs to be highlighted today — Jesus’ solidarity with the human race. John objected to the sinless Jesus taking part in a rite presupposing sin in the person baptized. Jesus, however, insisted on being baptized to show his solidarity with humanity.