Commentary :: طرح

And in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth to Judea, and the crowds saw His glory at the Jordan.

As the forerunner and baptizer was saying to the people: “This is truly the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

Then the Lamb, who forgives sins, came to the Jordan to be baptized by John like the rest of those who came to him.

But John refused, saying: “I need to come to You, and are You coming to me?” (Matthew 3:14).

Our Lord Jesus Christ answered him, saying to him: “Why do you prevent Me, John? The will of My Father, the Holy Spirit, and My love for mankind brought Me to be born, and also called Me to descend into Baptism. My great power is what drew Me and made Me a Child. It is also what drew Me to descend and be baptized by you. The embrace of baptism has not harmed Me more than the confinement of the womb. The waters of the Jordan have not wronged Me more than the belly. If you think that you are honoring Me by refusing to baptize Me, then you should have prevented Me from conception and Birth. Which is more lowly: the confinement of the womb in the flesh or the greatness of baptism? If you had the power to prevent Me from being wrapped in swaddling clothes, then prevent Me from baptism. If you had the power to stop Me from being nursed with simple milk, then prevent Me from descending into the spring. If you could have prevented Me from dwelling in the womb of Mary the Virgin, then you could also prevent Me from the embrace of baptism. Now I have journeyed and come along the path of the Birth to complete it. How can I turn back from it?! For this reason, it is fitting for Me, as I was sent from My Father, to fulfill the way of righteousness.”

When the Master finished speaking to John, John trembled before the Son of the King and worshiped Him, confessing with reverence and supplication, saying: “I ask You, O my Master, for I cannot approach You. Weak are the rushes to touch the flame. How can the weak straw hold the blaze of fire, or the spark come near the ember?! How can I place my hand on Your head and baptize You with water, O Baptizer of all?”

Then the Master answered him, saying: “Cease O John from questioning, and be at peace. Do not say anything when you baptize Me. Come and simply place your hand on My head, for the Father approves this for His Son. Come to Me, stretch out your hand over the water, and without your words, the Spirit will testify to Me in truth.”

Then John approached and placed his hand on the head of the Flame, and the ranks of angels stood astonished with great awe. The powers were bewildered by the wonder and amazement of what was happening there. For the hand of flesh was not burned by the Flame that made the seraphim cover their faces because of its intensity. Upon the head of the Creator, John placed his fleshly hand that is created from the earth. “It held its Master and touched His head without melting.” This is a marvelous saying before which the luminous ones are embarrassed, and anyone who sees; the son of the barren descended to baptize Him who is unseen by angels, carried by the Cherubim, veiled by the ranks, glorified by the thrones, and feared and revered by all the orders. He left all the illusions of the bewildered nations, the powers in awe, the hosts trembling, the gates shaking, and the flame standing in dread, He descended to be baptized by the hand made of dust, the work of His hands.

When our Savior was baptized by the hand of John, the heavens were opened for Him and the Father proclaimed about His Beloved. The glorious Spirit testified to the Only-begotten, and the voice came forth from the chamber of the kingdom—the hidden Word moved without a mouth to testify to the truth of the divinity, and the voice thundered from heaven without a corporeal tongue upon His incarnate Beloved. He did not speak at that time with the tongue of a King or announce with a spiritual mouth, but He spoke in His eternity about the Son of His mystery when He ascended from the water, saying: “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”

Praise to God, forever. Amen.