Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
We have been traveling with Jesus throughout this Christmas season. There’s been a lot of journeys.
Heaven to earth, uncountable; Nazareth to Bethlehem for the Nativity, about 90 miles; Bethlehem to Jerusalem for the dedication and back, 12 miles; Bethlehem to Egypt, the flight, around 150 miles; Egypt to Nazareth, the return, around 240 miles; Nazareth to Jerusalem, the annual festival for twelve years, about 900 miles; and today, Nazareth to the Jordan, around 90 miles. From there He will travel into the dessert to fast and pray. All told, that is about 1,482 miles.
Some estimates count Jesus’ total travels at 15,000 miles. All on foot, all focused on one thing, bringing redemption, salvation, and the opening of the eternal Kingdom for us.
Regardless of the Bible translation used, Jesus’ journey to the Jordan is marked by a compelling draw from life at home to public ministry, to the work the Father had sent Him to do.
John knew his cousin Jesus, they traveled together as children. They spent time at family celebrations. More than just knowing Him, he realized by the light of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the Messiah.
The man standing in the river with John is revealed to the world as God among us.
These are all interesting and wonderful things. If you like stats, a few you can put on recall for Bible trivia.
Our baptism was our time to emerge from the home into the ministry God is calling us to do. The call of the God-man Jesus is compelling. In our training and by the sacraments, the light of the Holy Spirit has shined in our lives to recognize what we have and what we must do.
The Father calls us to set out and to draw many to know, love, and serve Jesus. The Father asks us to hear His voice, experience the Holy Spirit, and walk as Jesus did.
The average person drives 14,263 miles per year, about as much as Jesus walked His entire earthly life. Let us continually remind ourselves of the mission we are on and what we are to do in our baptismal travels.
