Jesus, The Anointed One by Larry Sparks

Day 8 of the “What Child is This?” Advent Devotional

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. (Matthew 3:13-15)

Remember, Jesus Christ is 100% man and 100% God. The elevation of either His humanity or divinity to the neglect of the other is costly—yes for our theology, but ultimately, to our everyday expression of Christianity. When it comes down to core essentials of the faith, it is pretty important that we equally acknowledge both His divinity and humanity.

For years, we have emphasized His divinity; now, I believe we need to re-examine His anointed humanity. Why? In Jesus’ divinity, payment was rendered for our sins. Only divine, sinless blood could make you and I righteous in our standing before the Holy One. Consider it. The blood of God cleansed you from sin. That’s amazing!

However, there is more to your salvation than being cleansed of sin. Your conversion was a translation. You were brought out of one realm into the next. You were translated and delivered out of darkness into the Kingdom of light. Okay, I know that sounds pretty incredible, but here is the kicker.

If we neglect Jesus’ humanity, we neglect God’s will for our lives. If we downplay the reality of Jesus, the Anointed One, you and I run the risk of becoming Christians, duped into believing that we are content waiting for the rapture or hunkering down until we make it to the “sweet by and by.”

We’ll finish up by looking at our text in Matthew 3. It goes without saying that Jesus, the Divine Son of God, did not need to be baptized in the Jordan. He was without sin. This is true. But consider the bold proclamation that Jesus was making through this powerful act. He was identifying with the sons of man who needed both a Messiah and a model. By being baptized, Jesus was beginning to set the example of what would become possible for every man, woman, and child anointed by the Holy Spirit.

Also, does it wow anyone else that Jesus, the Son of God, was actually filled with God at His water baptism? Continuing on in Matthew 3:16, we see the result of Jesus’ baptism, “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.”

Even though Jesus was, is, and ever remains God, during His ministry on the Earth, He made a choice to live as a man Anointed by the Holy Spirit.

Advent Prayer

Holy Spirit, reveal Jesus in a new way to me this Advent Season. Help me behold the One who identified with my humanity in every way possible, including being filled with Your Presence.

Fall on me fresh today, Spirit of God. Rise up within me, Living Water, and empower me to walk out this life just as Jesus did.