Baptism of di Lord

Oda Wey Dem Go Follow for Holy Hour

Wetin happen before: Just before Jesus receive Baptism, Gospel of Matthew present Saint John the Baptist to us like this. Na him be:

“The voice of one person wey dey shout for wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord,
make His paths straight.” (Matthew 3:3, RSV-CE)

John dey live humble life for wilderness. People dey come meet am with hope say na him be the Messiah. But because John humble, e make am clear say e no even worthy to loose the sandal straps of the Messiah wey dey come.

Plenty Pharisees and Sadducees come meet am too to listen to am, but na because dem just wan know wetin dey happen, no be because dem sincerely want hear the message wey e bring as prophet. So John rebuke dem sharply because dem no open their heart to God’s voice.

Small time after John rebuke the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus appear before am for wilderness. The Scripture passage below show this scene and give us rich spiritual food to think about deeply for prayer. First, read the whole Scripture passage a few times, then use the reflection section to think deeply about each line as you dey pray.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:13–17

Reflection: John talk say, “Na me need make You baptize me, and na You come meet me?” Pause and use your imagination to put yourself for this scene. Try imagine this meeting as person wey stand there dey watch. Watch as Jesus waka go meet John, listen to how John respond, and take time look only John. Pray make God help you see this scene as He dey see am and understand am as He dey understand am.

Jesus answer say: “Make e be so now; because na so e fit us to fulfil everything wey righteousness require.” This talk get deep meaning wey no easy to understand. Again, think deeply about this talk for silence for some time, as you dey ask God to help you understand His words.

After Jesus enter the water and come out, three things happen. Take time think about each one as you dey pray:

“…heaven open…”
The Spirit of God come down “like dove…”
The Voice of the Father talk say: “This na my beloved Son, wey I dey well pleased with.”

Jesus no need to receive Baptism; na God He be. His Baptism mark the time when the people wey John the Baptist don prepare turn their attention to Jesus. The Holy Spirit wey appear and the Voice of the Father na clear signs wey show say Jesus na God. His Baptism reveal Who He be. He be one of the Persons of the Most Holy Trinity. John don prepare the people for His ministry, and now the time for His ministry for this earth don start.

Spend time make this scene speak to your heart, make e tell you say time don reach for Jesus to show Himself more clearly to you. His public ministry (wey the meditations wey dey come go present) must start afresh for your life. Think deeply about this truth and pray to commit yourself to everything wey Jesus want tell you for the weeks wey dey come.